2 Weeks of Special Feasts

[Rev. Bob Johnnene OFD]

2 Weeks of Special Feasts to Reflect Upon
Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus / Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Reformed Catholic Church New England
www.missionstsergius.org


The coming two weeks has very special meaning not only to me, our
ministry and the Franciscans of Divine Mercy but to the entire
Universal Church.
Beginning with the feast of the Archangels on the 29th of September
and continuing through October 7th the church celebrates the lives
and memory of many important saints whose lives have given us
inspiration.
On the various feast days you may want to pray for the intercession of
those honored and reflect on their life and how they lived to serve
God and others and, like the patron saints of our ministry, Saints
Sergius and Bacchus, who were willing to die rather than deny God. I
will be posting special reflections for some of these feasts but I
thought a “heads up” on the forthcoming two weeks was in order.
September 29th is the feast of all the Archangels those we often hear
about Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Urial and the others.
On October 1st we celebrate the life of SAINT THERESE OF LISIEUX known
as Therese of the Child Jesus; the Little Flower; the Little Flower of
Jesus. Cured from an illness at age eight when a statue of the Blessed
Virgin Mary smiled at her, she became a Carmelite Nun at age 15.
Therese defined her path to God and holiness as "The Little Way,"
which consisted of love and trust in God. This message of trust is one
we all need to take to heart. Since one of my favorite relatives was
also a member of the Carmelite order, I have long had a special
devotion to St. Therese because of my cousin Sister Ann of Jesus who
was a Carmelite.
On Friday the 2nd of October we celebrate the feast in honor of Our
Guardian Angels whom God has given the task of watching over us and
guide us if we seek their guidance.
Sunday October 4th is traditionally the Feast of Our seraphic Father,
Saint Francis of Assisi who founded and wrote the rule by which all
Franciscans live. Francis preached the Gospel of love, compassion and
mercy of God and spoke out against the luxurious excesses that many of
the church hierarchy were living. Francis gave up a life of wealth and
prestige for one of poverty and service to the poorest and rejected of
his time.
Sunday the 4th is also designated as Respect For Life Sunday which
seeks to remind all of us that ALL LIFE is precious and a gift from
God. All life, regardless of race, gender, religious affiliation, or
sexual orientation deserves respect.
October 5th is the feast day of Saint Faustina Kowalska who received
from the Lord a message of mercy that she was told to spread
throughout the world. She was asked to become the apostle and
secretary of God's mercy, a model of how to be merciful to others, and
an instrument for reemphasizing God's plan of mercy for the world. Her
life was based on deep humility, purity of intention, and loving
obedience to the will of God in imitation of the virtues of the
Blessed Virgin Mary. The message of the infinite and divine mercy and
love of God is now being spread throughout the world. St. Faustina had
a vision of Christ with his arms outstretched and rays of the colors
of the rainbow were radiating from His Sacred Heart which we now know
as the Image of Divine mercy. Our Franciscan Order is dedicated to the
message of Divine Mercy.
Wednesday the 7th is the feast day of the patron saints of our
ministry, Saints Sergius and Bacchus. Saints Sergius and Bacchus were
lovers in a blessed committed relationship who suffered persecution
and martyrdom rather than deny the love of Christ. I will be posting a
reflection of there history and how they became the patrons of our
ministry later this week. The 7th of October is also the feast
honoring Our Blessed Mother Mary under the title of Our Lady of the
Rosary.
On each of these feast days, you may want to take a moment to reflect
on the saint being honored and offer a prayer of petition asking them
to intercede on your behalf to Almighty God for your special
intentions and help in living your daily life in accord with God’s
will as Christ taught us..
Each of these saints lives is stresses the message of the infinite and
everlasting compassion, love, mercy and forgiveness of Almighty God
for all His children and God’s desire for all His children to
participate in and be active participants in His Mystical Body, The
Church, through prayer, the sacraments and living a life that reflects
Christ’s message of Love for all people regardless of their sexual
orientation, race, marital status of practice of worship to Him.
May God Bless each and every one of us with the knowledge of His truth
and the courage to live in a way that brings honor and glory to Him.
AMEN