Update…we know many people are anxiously awaiting to see the photos and the video of the First Pontifical Mass at the Throne in San Francisco, celebrated by his Grace, Archbishop Cordileone.
We are still reviewing the photos and editing the videos. We had three photographers and two video cameras recording this milestone.
Click above for PDF file
Messenger of Saint Anthony
Via Orto Botanico 11,
35123 Padova, Italy
Tel: +39 498225000
Web: www.saintanthonyofpadua.net
Francis of Assisi and Francis of Argentina joined in friendship by St Anthony of Padua
“Relics are parts of the body of a Saint which was the Temple of the Holy Spirit.” Pope Francis
St Francis of Assisi and Pope Francis of Argentina have an important friend in common – St Anthony of Padua.
The much loved 13th century friar was a contemporary of St Francis, and one of the earliest members of the Franciscan Order founded by St Francis in 1209.
When, in the year 2000, Pope Francis was Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, he blessed the faithful gathered in the Cathedral with a precious reliquary containing St. Anthony’s floating rib.
The new millennium heralded hope for many, but Argentina was a country in turmoil, facing imminent economic collapse. The financial crisis sparked rioting as frustration mounted over the lack of employment opportunities, the devaluing of the currency, the collapse of the government. Over 50% of Argentines were classed as poor.
The future Pope’s devotion to St Anthony was due to the Saint’s love, care and concern for the poor and marginalised. Known to help people find lost items, St Anthony intercedes with those trying to find a job, a home, faith and hope, all of which were in short supply in Argentina in 2000.
From 26 October – 2 November 2014, St Anthony will be visiting Northern California in the Continue reading
Today September 30th, we celebrate the feast of St. Jerome, priest, Doctor of the Church, and the greatest biblical scholar, called by Pope Benedict XV the “Father of the Fathers.” Jerome was quite a colorful personality, known for his rather caustic and even pugilistic manner of argument. We learn from him that people of all temperaments and dispositions are capable of profound divine love.
At one point in his life, Jerome was quite a big shot in Rome. He was the personal right-hand man of Pope Damasus and leveraged his remarkable talents with considerable success. After the pope died, however, Jerome’s enemies seized the opportunity to oust him from positions of power and reduce his influence. Instead of fighting back and engaging in their worldly game, Jerome fled Rome and Church politics, choosing to live as a monk in Bethlehem. It was there that he lived the final 35 years of his saintly life, in prayer, study, scholarship, preaching, and correspondence. It seems he preferred the quiet life of contemplation in the caves of Palestine to the intrigue of power games at the papal court.
The truth is that Jerome was in love. His faith taught him to hear in Sacred Scripture the very Word of God and he responded to this amazing gift with fitting fascination. From the time of his conversion at the age of 18, Jerome made the Bible the center of his personal and professional life. He was especially intent on knowing Christ in the Old Testament. He spent much of his incredible intellectual efforts in textual criticism and translation of the Old Testament from the original Hebrew. He famously wrote that “ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.”
As we celebrate the feast of the Solitary of Bethlehem, we are challenged also to make the Bible the center of our spiritual lives. A day should not pass without the Christian soul tasting the delights of Scripture. Using a good Catholic commentary (the Navarre Bible and the Ignatius Bible for beginners; Catena Aurea and Cornelius a Lapide for proficients), we should spend 15 minutes every day meditating on the Word of God. With Bible reading in the morning and Rosary recitation in the evening, we will find our own peaceful Bethlehem cave amidst the stress and scattered frenzy of life in the world. St. Jerome, lover of God’s Word and teacher of the interior life, pray for us!
Fr Joesph Previtali
Assistant Chaplain
As shared to us by Fr. Jeffrey Keyes, Pastor at St. Edward’s Catholic Church at Newark CA, Vespers (evening prayer) is now being sung everyday (Weekdays at 4:30pm, Saturday at 4:15pm and Sundays at 5:15pm). It is sung in the Ordinary Form (English). Father Keyes also continues to celebrate Holy Mass in the Extraordinary Form on Thursdays at 5:30pm.
The Dome of Home from Philip Chidell on Vimeo.
A very nice video documentary on the “Dome of Home”, also known as the Shrine of Saints Peter, Paul and Philomena, in New Brighton (UK) that’s been making the rounds in various blogs (ie. Fr. Z, Rorate). It was entrusted by Bishop Mark Davies to the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest in 2012. Canon Meney was previously assigned here before being moved to St. Margaret Mary’s in Oakland, CA. It’s worth watching the whole 25 minute video! For more information, visit their website at http://domeofhome.org/
Click on the above picture for the photo gallery of Rev. Canon Joel Estrada’s First Mass at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Oratory / Five Wounds Church in San Jose, CA on 9/13/2014.
tlmofsf.com 