Fortnight for Freedom Issue #8: Praying for saintly intercession.

St. Thomas More
Patron of Religious Freedom
Pray for Us

O God our Creator,
from your provident hand we have received
our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
You have called us as your people and given us
the right and the duty to worship you, the only true God,
and your Son, Jesus Christ.
Through the power and working of your Holy Spirit,
you call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world,
bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel
to every corner of society.
We ask you to bless us
in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty.
Give us the strength of mind and heart
to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened;
give us courage in making our voices heard
on behalf of the rights of your Church
and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith.
Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father,
a clear and united voice to all your sons and daughters
gathered in your Church
in this decisive hour in the history of our nation,
so that, with every trial withstood
and every danger overcome—
for the sake of our children, our grandchildren,
and all who come after us—
this great land will always be “one nation, under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: USCCB website

Participate in Fortnight for Freedom activities near you

Participate in the Virtual Vigil for Religious Freedom

Deer hunters take note: St. Hubert is on your side!

Buy the above sign at Right On The Walls – Masculine Decor

In the late 600s A.D., a “party boy” named Hubert had given himself to the vanities of life, and was obsessed with hunting. Once, he chose to pursue his sport on Good Friday, “a real no-no in that time,” and received an unexpected wake-up call from above.

During his hunt that morning, a vision of the crucifix appeared to Hubert between the antlers of a great stag. Through the creature, God spoke to him and said, “Hubert, if you don’t get your act together, you’re going to hell.”Hubert got his act together and is now St. Hubert, patron saint of hunters.

Read more

How Vatican II Changes Affected St. Christopher’s (official) Status (Feast Day July 25th)

St. Christopher is the Patron Saint of Transportation and Traveling, recognized by both Roman and Orthodox Catholics. Many popular depictions, including those on St. Christopher medals, show him carrying the Christ Child across a river.

His popularity has always been significant and many people, including non-Catholics, carry a St. Christopher medallion in the form of a keychains in the belief that he keeps travelers safe. However, many people believe that the Catholic Church no longer considers him a saint; this stems from a misunderstanding of two separate documents: the General Roman Calendar and the Roman Martyrology.

Vatican II and Changes to the Calendar of Saints

During the 1960s, the Catholic Church was undergoing several major reforms. One of these involved a review and revision to the Calendar of Saints, which ultimately resulted in the elimination of the feast days of several popular saints.

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Numerous people interpreted this to mean that these saints were essentially “unsainted.” This arises from a general misunderstanding of the how the Calendar of Saints functions. Rather than the definitive list of all official Roman Catholic saints, the calendar simply indicates designated feast days; not all saints have feast days, therefore, not all saints are on the calendar.

Read more at Suite 101

Another good link

Submitted by Doria2

St. Peregrine Devotions and presentation “Dignity at the End of Life” May 6th at 7PM, Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Westmont, Illinois

St. Peregrine is the patron saint of those with cancer and other chronic diseases.

On Wednesday May 6th, at 7 PM, celebrating the Feast of St. Peregrine, Holy Trinity Catholic Parish in Westmont, IL will conduct their regular monthly St. Peregrine devotions, followed immediately by a special presentation:

“Dignity at the End of Life” with Bill Beckman and Colleen Alexander. 

Mr. Beckman is from the Illinois Right to Life Committee, and Ms. Alexander is a hospice nurse. A reception will follow.
            

Holy Trinity Catholic Church is located at 111 South Cass Avenue, Westmont, Illinois 60559 (about two blocks south of the Burlington tracks).

Click here for directions

Illinois Right To Life Website

End of Life Issues

More about St. Peregrine

Prayer To St. Peregrine for Sick Relatives and Friends

O great St. Peregrine, you have been called “The Mighty”, the “The Wonder Worker” because of the numerous miracles which you obtained from God for those who have turned to you in their need.

For so many years you bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fiber of our being.

You turned to God when the power of human beings could do no more, and you were favored with the vision of Jesus coming down from His cross to heal your affliction.

I now ask God to heal these sick persons whom I entrust to you:

(Here mention their names)

Aided by your powerful intercession, I shall sing with Mary a hymn of gratitude to God for His great goodness and mercy.

Amen.