The Feast of the Visitation

Happy Feast of the Visitation Everyone!!! (Luke 1:39-56) Rejoice! Rejoice!

The Feast of the Visitation commemorates the visit between Mary and Elizabeth as recorded in Luke 1:39-56 which is celebrated in the Catholic Church on May 31.

Mary, pregnant with Jesus and Elizabeth, pregnant with John the Baptist meet in Hebron, south of Jerusalem, immediately after the Annunciation. The cousins met so that Christ, still a fetus at the time, would bring divine grace to both Elizabeth and her unborn child. Sensing Christ's divine presence, John leapt for joy as he was cleansed from original sin and filled with divine grace. (Luke 1:44) This leads Elizabeth to also recognize His presence and responds in a loud voice praising God:

"Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb." (Luke 1:42)

It is from this speech that we get one of the Church's most iconic prayers, the Hail Mary.

At this point, Mary responds with another speech which has become a very important Christian prayer which is used in the Liturgy of the Hours' Evening Prayers, the Magnificat:

My soul magnifies the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior.
He looks on His servant in her lowliness;
henceforth all ages will call me blessed.
The Almighty works marvels for me.
Holy His name!
His mercy is from age to age,
on those who fear Him.
He puts forth His arm in strength
and scatters the proud-hearted.
He casts the mighty from their thrones
and raises the lowly.
He fills the starving with good things,
sends the rich away empty.
He protects Israel, His servant,
remembering His mercy,
the mercy promised to our fathers,
to Abraham and his sons for ever. (Luke 1:46–55)

It was at this meeting that Mary exercised her function as Mediatrix between God and man for the first time

This feast is of medieval origin and started by the Franciscans even before St. Bonaventure recommended it and the Franciscan chapter adopted it in A.D. 1263. In 1389, Pope Urban VI, hoping to end the Great Western Schism, inserted it in the Roman Calendar thus giving it to the Universal Church.

Distribution of Bread for St Anthony Day

Holy Family's Secular Franciscan Community will be distributing blessed bread at both morning Masses on St Anthony of Padua's feast day, Monday, June 13th.

Fr. Casper Furnari, the community's spiritual director, will officiate at both Masses that day.

St Anthony Bread

The devotion to St. Anthony known as St. Anthony's Bread goes back to the 13th century. It has been a source of many miracles, favors and graces and has, of course, been of great help to the poor and the needy.

According to legend, a child of Padua fell into a barrel of water and drowned. In her grief the mother called on St. Anthony for help, and promised she would donate the child's weight in grain for the poor if she were restored to life.

While the mother was still praying, the child arose as if from sleep. This miracle gave rise to the practice of giving alms to the poor as a petition for favors received through St. Anthony's intercession.

Another miracle is associated with St Anthony Bread becuase of a girl named Louise Bouffier at Toulon in France in the 19th century. She promised loaves of bread for the poor in exchange for St. Anthony's help. Her shop soon later became a center of devotion to the Saint; the alms of those whose favors were heard were given to the numerous poor families of the city.

Franciscans have perpetuated this custom for many years. It is a laudable sacrifice to Christ and thanksgiving to St. Anthony.

Liturgy of the Hours Link

Click here to read the Divine Office prayer for today.

Our May 26th Meeting

To day was our first "official" formal meeting as a community since our reception ceremony on April 28.

We discussed the importance of the Liturgy of Hours (also known as the Divine Office,) the prayer of the Church, in the life of a Secular Franciscan. As some of our community were unfamiliar with the prayers, we discussed the structure of the prayer as well as the books necessary to recite them.

For those interested in praying the Divine Office via the Net, go to this site: http://universalis.com

We also decided that all future meeting will commence at 7:00 PM instead of 7:30 as had been the norm.

We also started planning for our parish's St Anthony Feast Day celebration. After both Masses on June 13th, our community will hand out blessed bread, as is the custom for St Anthony day. Plans are still being discussed for an additional Italian Mass in the afternoon to accommodate parishioners interested in attending Mass in the evening.

Our Community

This is a photo of the Holy Family Secular Franciscan Fraternity taken after our April ceremony.

It was taken in our parish church in Fresh Meadows. Fr. Casper Furnari, our spiritual director, is sitting in the front row.

Our Lady of China's Feast Day - The Church in China

Today is Our Lady of China's Feast Day

Please pray for the Christians in China. There are two Catholic Churches in that country. One is controlled by the communist government and is not in union with Rome while the other is underground and persecuted.

Please keep all of the people of China in your prayers, especially the many ethnic minorities including the Tibetans, Mongolians and Uiyghers. Pray that they may learn of Christ's love and be converted to Him.

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Our Lady of Pompeii - "The Supplica"

May 7 is the Feast of La Madonna del Santo Rosario di Pompei

Among the prayers used on this day is Blessed Bartolo Longo's prayer, the Supplica, meaning supplication or petition, which is traditionally said at noontime.

The Supplica

O August Queen of Victories, O Sovereign of Heaven and Earth, at whose name the heavens rejoice and the abyss trembles, O glorious Queen of the Rosary, we your devoted children, assembled in your temple of Pompeii, (on this solemn day), pour out the affection of our heart and with filial confidence express our miseries to you. 



From the throne of clemency, where you are seated as Queen, turn, O Mary, your merciful gaze on us, on our families, on Italy, on Europe, on the world. Have compassion on the sorrows and cares which embitter our lives. See, O Mother, how many dangers of body and soul, how many calamities and afflictions press upon us. 



O Mother, implore for us the mercy of your divine Son and conquer with clemency the heart of sinners. They are our brothers and your children who cause the heart of our sweet Jesus to bleed and who sadden your most sensitive heart. Show all that you are the Queen of Peace and of Pardon.

Hail Mary. 



It is true that although we are your children we are the first to crucify Jesus by our sins and to pierce anew your heart. 

We confess that we are deserving of severe punishment, but remember that, on Golgotha, you received with the divine blood, the testament of the dying Savior, who declared you to be our Mother, the Mother of sinners. 



You then, as our Mother, are our Advocate, our Hope. And we raise our suppliant hands to you with sighs crying "Mercy!" O good Mother, have pity on us, on our souls, on our families, our relatives, our friends, our deceased, especially our enemies, and on so many who call themselves Christian and yet offend the heart of your loving Son. Today we implore pity for the misguided nations throughout all Europe, throughout the world, so that they may return repentant to your heart. 



Hail Mary. 



Kindly deign to hear us. O Mary! Jesus has placed in your hands all the treasures of his graces and mercies. You are seated a crowned Queen at the right hand of your Son, resplendent with immortal glory above the choirs of angels. Your dominion extends throughout heaven and earth and all creatures are subject to you. 



You are omnipotent by grace and therefore you can help us. Were you not willing to help us, since we are ungrateful children and undeserving of your protection, we would not know to whom to turn. Your motherly heart would not permit you see us, your children, lost. The Infant whom we see on your knees and the blessed rosary which we see in your hand, inspire confidence in us that we shall be heard. We confide fully in you, we abandon ourselves as helpless children into the arms of the most tender of mothers, and on this day, we expect from you the graces we so long for. 



Hail Mary. 



One last favour we now ask of you, O Queen, which you cannot refuse us (on this most solemn day): Grant to all of us your steadfast love and in a special manner your maternal blessing. We shall not leave you until you have blessed us. Bless, O Mary, at this moment, our Holy Father. To the ancient splendors of your crown, to the triumphs of your Rosary, whence you are called the Queen of Victories, add this one also, O Mother: grant the triumph of religion and peace to human society. Bless our bishops, priests and particularly all those who are zealous for the honor of your sanctuary. Bless finally all those who are associated with your temple of Pompeii and all those who cultivate and promote devotion to your Holy Rosary. 



O blessed Rosary of Mary, sweet chain which unites us to God, bond of love which unites us to the angels, tower of salvation against the assaults of hell, safe port in our universal shipwreck, we shall never abandon you. You will be our comfort in the hour of agony: to you the last kiss of our dying life. And the last word from our lips will be your sweet name, O Queen of the Rosary of Pompeii, O dearest Mother, O Refuge of Sinners, O Sovereign Consoler of the Afflicted. Be blessed everywhere, today and always, on earth and in Heaven. Amen. 



Hail, Holy Queen.

Famous Secular Franciscans

There have been many Third Order Franciscans throughout Christian history. The following is a tiny portion of the total number of Francis' followers in the past 800 years:

Saints

1. Elizabeth of Hungary, W (d. 1231)?
2. Ferdinand II of Castile, C (d. 1252)?
3. Rose of Viterbo, V (d. 1252)
4. Louis IX of France, C (d. 1270)?
5. Margaret of Cortona, P (d. 1297)
6. Ivo of Brittany, C (d. 1303)?
7. Elzear of Sabran, C (d. 1323)
8. Rock of Montpellier, C (d. 1327)?
9. Elizabeth of Portugal, W (d. 1336)?
10. Conrad of Piacenza, C (d. 1351)
11. Bridget of Sweden, W (d. 1373)
12. St. Joan of Arc (d. 1431)
13. Catherine of Genoa, V (d. 1510)?
14. Thomas More, M (d. 1535)
15. Charles Borromeo, Bp (d. 1584)
16. Paul Suzuki, M (d. 1597)
17. Gabriel of Ize, M (d. 1597)
18. John Kinuya, M ( d. 1597)
19. Thomas Danki of Ize, M (d. 1597)
20. Francis "the Doctor" of Mikayo, M (d. 1597)
21. Thomas Kosaki, M (d. 1597)
22. Joachim Sakakibara, M (d. 1597)
23. Bonaventure of Mikayo, M (d. 1597)
24. Leo Kasasumaru, M (d. 1597)
25. Matthias of Mikayo, M (d. 1597)
26. Antony of Nagasaki, M (d. 1597)
27. Louis Iabaraki, M (d. 1597) .
28. Paul Iabaraki, M ( d. 1597)
29. Michael Kosaki, M (d. 1597)
30. Peter Sukejiro, M (d. 1597)
31. Cosmas Takeya, M (d. 1597)
32. Francis Fahelante, M (d. 1597)
33. Jane Frances Fremyot de Chantal, W (d. 1641)
34. Mary Anne of Jesus de Paredes, V (d. 1645)
35. Mary Frances of the Five Wounds, V (d. 1791)
36. Joseph Benedict Cottolengo, C (d. 1842)
37. Vincentia Gerosa, V (d. 1847)
38. Vincent Pallotti, C (d. 1850)
39. Emily de Vialar, V (d. 1856)
40. Jean-Marie Vianney, C (d. 1859) (Le Cure D'Ars)
41. Joseph Cafasso, C (d. 1860)?
42. Mary Joseph Rossello, V (d. 1880)
43. John Bosco, C (d. 1888)
44. Pius X, Pope (d. 1914)
45. Frances Xavier Cabrini, V (d. 1917)
46. John XXIII, Pope (d. 1963)

Blessed and Beatified

47. Viridiana de Attavantis, V (d. c. 1242)?
48. Humiliana of Cerchi, W (d. 1246)
49. Luchesio of Poggibonsi, C (d. 1260)
50. Gerard of Villamagna, C (d. c. 1270)
51. Novellone of Faenza, C (d. 1280)
52. James of Citta della Pieve, M (d. 1286)
53. Peter "the Comb-Maker" of Siena, C (d. 1289)
54. Bartholomew of San Gimigniano, C (d. 1300)
55. John Pelingotto of Urbino, C (d. 1304)
56. 10. Amato Ronconi of Saldezzo, C (d. 1304)
57. Joan of Signa, V (d. 1307)
58. Angela of Foligno, W (d. 1309)
59. Chrisiana Menabuoi, V (d. 1310)
60. Ramon Lull, M (d. 1316)
61. Ubald of San Gimigniano, C (d. c. 1320)
62. Peter Cresci of Foligno, C (d. 1323)
63. Francis ("Cecco") Zanferdini of Pesaro, C (d. 1350)
64. Michelina of Pesaro, W (d. 1356) .
65. Delphina of Glandeves, V (d. 1360)
66. Charles of Blois, C (d. 1364)
67. Hugolino Magalotti, C (d. 1373)
68. Oddino Barrotti, C (d. 1400)
69. William of Scicli, C (d. 1404)
70. Jeanne-Marie de Maille, W (d. 1414)
71. Peter Gambacorti of Pisa, C (d. 1435)
72. Nicholas of Forcapalena, C (d. 1449)
73. Paula Gambara Costa, W (d. 1515)
74. Louisa Albertoni, W (d. 1533)
75. Hippolytus Galantini, C (d. 1619)
76. Leo Satzuma, M (d. 1622)
77. Lucy Freitas, W M (d. 1622)
78. Louis Baba, M (d. 1624)
79. Caspar Vaez, M (d. 1627)
80. Mary de Vaez, M (d. 1627)
81. Thomas O. Jinemon, M (d. 1627)
82. Francis Huhyoe, M (d. 1627)
83. Michael Kizaemon, M (d. 1627)
84. Luke Kiemon, M (d. 1627)
85. Louis Matsuo Soemon, M (d. 1627)
86. Cayo Jiemon, M (d. 1627)
87. Martin Gomez, M (d. 1627)
88. Thomas Tzugi, M (d. 1627)
89. Louis Maki, M (d. 1627)
90. John Maki, M (d. 1627)
91. Louis Higashi, M (d. 1628)
92. Francis Higashi, M (d. 1628)
93. Dominic Higashi, M (d. 1628)
94. John Tomachi, M (d. 1628)
95. Dominic Tomachi, M (d. 1628)
96. Michael Tomachi, M (d. 1628)
97. Paul Tomachi, M (d. 1628)
98. Matthew Alvarez, M (d. 1628)
99. Michael Yamada, M (d. 1628)
100. Laurence Yamada, M (d. 1628)
101. Raymund of Omura, M (d. 1628)
102. Louisa of Omura, V M (d. 1628)
103. Peter of Senday, M (d. 1630)
104. Thomas Sakujiro, M (d. 1630)
105. Peter de Betancur, C (d. 1667)
106. John Tchang, M (d. 1900)
107. Patrick Tun, M (d. 1900)
108. John Van, M (d. 1900)
109. Philip Tchang, M (d. 1900)
110. John Tchang of Nan-che, M (d. 1900)
111. Thomas Sen, M (d. 1900)
112. Simon Tcheng, M (d, 1900)
113. Peter U-ngan-pan, M (d. 1900)
114. Francis Tchang-iun, M (d. 1900)
115. Matthias Fun-te, M (d. 1900)
116. Peter Tchang-pan-nieu, M (d. 1900)
117. Contardo Ferrini, C (d. 1902)
118. Louis Guanella, C (d. 1915)
119. Erminio Pampuni, C (d. 1930).

POPES:

120. (#179) - Gregory IX (1227-41)
121. (#185) - Blessed Gregory X (1271-76)
122. (#207) - Pope Martin V (1417-31)
123. (#243) - Innocent XII (1691-1700)
124. (#256) - Pius IX (1846-78)
125. (#258) - Pius X (1903-14)
126. (#247) - Clement XII (1730-40)
127. (#256) - Blessed Pius IX (1846-78)
128. (#257) - Leo XIII (1878-1903)
129. (#258) - St. Pius X (1903-14)
130. (#259) - Benedict XV (1914-22)
131. (#260) - Pius XI (1922-39)
132. (#261) - Pius XII (1939-58)
133. (#262) - Blessed John XXIII (1958-63)

CARDINALS:

134. Charles Borromeo
135. Henry Edward Manning
136. Herbert Vaughan

ROYALTY:

137. St. Elizabeth of Hungary
138. St. Elizabeth of Portugal
139. King Ferdinand of Spain
140. Queen Isabella of Spain

ARTISTS & MUSCIANS:

141. Dante Alighieri
142. Giotto di Bondone
143. Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino
144. Michelangelo Buonarroti
145. Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
146. Franz Liszt
147. Charles Gounod
148. John Michael Talbot

PARENTS OF SAINTS

149. Parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux
150. Parents of St. Maximilian Kolbe
151. Mother of St. Maria Goretti

Scientists & DISCOVERS:

152. Louis Pasteur, biologist
153. Christopher Columbus, discover of America
154. André and Marie Ampère, physicist

Chesterton & Francis

As I was researching the Net to find out definitively whether or not G.K. Chesterton was a Secular Franciscan, I came across wonderful quote the author wrote about St. Francis;

"St. Francis walked through the world like the pardon of God."

If anyone knows whether or not Chesterton was, in fact, a Secular Franciscan, please contact me and I'll post the information,