Optional Memorial of St. Mary Ann of Jesus
Hear us, God our Savior, that, as we rejoice in commemorating the Virgin, St. Mary Ann of Jesus, we may be instructed by her loving devotion. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Daily Thought from the Saints
"Helping a person in need is good in itself. But the degree of goodness is hugely affected by the attitude with which it is done. If you show resentment because you are helping the person out of a reluctant sense of duty, then the person may receive your help but may feel awkward and embarrassed. This is because he will feel beholden to you. If, on the other hand, you help the person in a spirit of joy, then the help will be received joyfully. The person will feel neither demeaned nor humiliated by your help, but rather will feel glad to have caused you pleasure by receiving your help. And joy is the appropriate attitude with which to help others because acts of generosity are a source of blessing to the giver as well as the receiver."
— St. John Chrysostom
Daily Scripture Verse
"He who pursues righteousness and kindness will find life[a] and honor. A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust."
Proverbs 21:21-22
Daily Meditation
"Teresa [of Avila] is as insistent as [St. John of the Cross] that there is no prayer development unless it be accompanied by purification from faults. Given what a love communion with utter Purity demands, one could not conceive the matter to be otherwise: only the pure can commune deeply with the all-pure One. Obvious as this is to the saint, the lesser of us have difficulty in understanding that we have many defects that need to be rooted out. ... In working actively at rooting out what is amiss, we are to be guided by the principles of revelation, not by a naturalistic common sense. There are people, says Teresa, who desire penance that they may serve God the better, but they are overly careful about not injuring their health. 'You need never fear that they will kill themselves . . . their love is not yet ardent enough to overwhelm their reason.' Going on 'at a snail's pace . . . we shall never get to the end of the road . . . So for the love of the Lord, let us make a real effort.'"
— Fr. Thomas Dubay
Day by Day with Mary, the Mother of God
Come, Holy Spirit. Come! As you descended upon Mary, that the Word might become flesh work in us through grace as you worked in her through nature and grace. Come! Consume in us whatever prevents us from being consumed in you.
—St. Mary Magdalen de’ Pazzi
A Prayer from Notre Dame University
FaithND
Lord, like Bartimaeus, we have sat in our own darkness, waiting, longing, unsure if our voices reach you. Teach us his courage; to call out even when the world tells us to be silent, to throw aside whatever holds us back, and to answer honestly when you ask, "What do you want me to do for you?" Open our eyes, Lord. And when you do, may we follow you without looking back. Amen.