AUGUST FEASTS AND CELEBRATIONS
Pope Francis dedicates the month of August to political leaders.
Let us pray that political leaders be at the service of their own people, working for integral human
development and the common good, taking care of those who have lost their jobs, and giving priority to the poor.
MEMORIAL OF SAINT ALPHONSUS LIGUORI, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
Alphonsus Liguori was an Italian Catholic bishop, composer, writer, lawyer, philosopher, and theologian. He founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer in 1732, whose mission was to imitate Christ and preach the Gospel to peasants in rural areas.
Liguori published nine editions of his Moral Theology. His greatest works included The Glories of Mary and The Way of the Cross.
Canonized in 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI and proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius IX in 1871, Liguori is a widely-read Catholic author and recognized as the patron saint of confessors.
FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD
The Transfiguration of the Lord is an event described in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke as well as the Second Epistle of Peter where Jesus and three Apostles, Peter, James, and John are at a mountain to pray. There, Jesus changes his form of appearance and begins to shine with bright rays of light. His garments become white. Then, Moses and Elijah appear and speak to the Apostles. They symbolize the Law and prophets. Jesus is called "Son" by the voice of God. Jesus tells the Apostles not to tell anyone "the things they have seen" until after the resurrection.
The Transfiguration is known as a miracle of Jesus, one of which Thomas Aquinas considers "the greatest miracle." It compliments baptism and shows the perfection of life in Heaven. It is a pivotal moment where human nature meets God. Jesus is our gateway from Earth to Heaven.
MEMORIAL OF SAINT DOMINIC, PRIEST
In the early 13th Century, then Fr. Dominic was commissioned to be part of the preaching crusade against the Albigensian heresy. He traveled barefoot preaching and after 10 years, he was successful in reclaiming ordinary people to Catholicism, though not the Albigensian leaders.
Saint Dominic founded a religious house in Toulouse, France, which was the beginning of the Order of Preachers or Dominicans.
He died in 1221 and was canonized 13 years later. Saint Dominic is the patron saint of astronomers and the Dominican Republic.
FEAST OF SAINT LAWRENCE, DEACON AND MARTYR
Saint Lawrence was a Roman deacon who was responsible for the material goods of the Church, which included the distribution of alms to the poor.
When Lawrence sensed his death was near since persecutions were a regular occurrence under the emperor, he gave away his money to the poor, widows, and orphans. The prefect of Rome sent for Lawrence as it was thought that Christians had considerable treasure and demanded that Lawrence "render to Cesar what is his" so that the emperor could strengthen his military might. Lawrence returned to the prefect with blind, lame, lepers, orphans, and widows announcing that they were the treasures of the Church. Lawrence suffered a slow and painful death.
Saint Lawrence is the patron saint of cooks, deacons, and the poor.
*Mass in honor of Blessed Michael McGivney will be celebrated on this day at 7:00 PM at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph. Please join us in person at 856 Pacific Street, Brooklyn or watch live on NET TV, Fios by Verizon 548, Optimum 30, and Spectrum 97, as well as online at www.netny.tv/masses.
FEAST OF BLESSED MICHAEL MCGIVNEY
Blessed Michael McGivney as he is currently called today, is a saint in the making. Founder of the Knights of Columbus, the world’s largest Catholic fraternal group with over 2 million members in 15,000 councils worldwide. Father McGivney lived a life of heroic virtue, loving God and those around him.
His cause for canonization opened in the Archdiocese of Hartford in 1997 when he was given the title Servant of God. He was then given he title Venerable Servant of God on March 15, 2008, by Pope Benedict XVI. On May 26, 2020, Pope Francis approved a decree recognizing a miracle attributed to his intercession, opening the way for his beatification. On October 31 of the same year, Pope Francis declared him Blessed Michael McGivney.
MEMORIAL OF SAINT MAXIMILIAN KOLBE, PRIEST AND MARTYR
Saint Maximilian Kolbe entered the seminary of the Conventual Franciscans in Lvív, became a novice at sixteen years old, and was ordained eight years later. He developed a strong devotion to Mary.
In 1939, Nazis invaded Poland and as a result, Kolbe was arrested. He was released less than three months, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
Arrested again in 1941, he was transported to Auschwitz, where he managed to hear confessions and celebrate Mass. He volunteered to take the place of a prisoner who was selected to die after escaping.
Kolbe was stripped and starved. He was injected with a hypodermic needle filled with carbolic acid and was burned.
Fr. Kolbe was beatified in 1971 and canonized in 1982 in the presence of the man he saved.
SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a significant feast day when we recall Mary departing from human life where her spirit and body ascends to heaven for eternity. The Assumption signifies the completion of God's work for Mary on Earth. It gives us hope that when we leave Earth, like the Blessed Mother, we also will be united with God in heaven. From Heaven, Mary loves each of us as her child. We should seek her intercession during this feast day and know that she is so loving and that it is she who is our pathway to God.
The teaching of the Assumption of Mary became widespread across the Christian world, having been celebrated as early as the 5th century and established in the East by Emperor Maurice around AD 600.
The Assumption is a symbol of the promise that we too will be received into paradise.
MEMORIAL OF SAINT BERNARD, ABBOT AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux was a scripture scholar, theologian, and preacher. He became a monk and persuaded others to follow him.
He was an arbitrator and counselor who intervened in a full-blown schism and settled it in favor of the Roman pontiff against the antipope.
Bernard advocated crusades in general and convinced many to participate in the unsuccessful Second Crusade. He died in 1153.
MEMORIAL OF SAINT PIUS X, POPE
Pope Pius X was elected at age 68. He was interested in politics and urged Italian Catholics to become more politically involved. One of his first papal acts was to end the supposed right of governments to interfere by veto in papal elections.
He is remembered for his encouragement for the frequent reception of holy communion, especially to children.
World War I impacted and troubled him deeply. He wanted to comfort everyone. He died in 1914 and was canonized in 1954.
MEMORIAL OF THE QUEENSHIP OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
We witness Mary's queenship in the Scripture at the Annunciation where Gabriel announced Mary's son would receive the throne of David and at the Visitation where Elizabeth refers to Mary as "mother of my Lord."
This feast is now celebrated on the octave day of the Feast of the Assumption. Pius XII pointed out that Mary deserves the queenship title because she is the Mother of God, and has preeminent perfection and intercessory power.
FEAST OF SAINT BARTHOLOMEW, APOSTLE
Saint Bartholomew (also known as Nathaniel) was one of Jesus' twelve Apostles. He was the one whom Jesus appeared on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias after Jesus' resurrection. Bartholomew was called by Jesus to follow Him and spread His Good News that all are called to holiness.
Saint Bartholomew is the patron saint of plasterers.
MEMORIAL OF SAINT MONICA
Saint Monica is remembered for her Christian virtues and suffering caused by her husband's adultery. Her husband, Patricius was a pagan, and like his mother, had a bad temper. Monica won them both to Christianity.
Saint Monica is the mother of Saint Augustine of Hippo. She experienced a vision, that one day Augustine would repent from his immoral life. Augustine did just that and came under the influence of a bishop, known as St. Ambrose, who baptized Augustine. St. Augustine's repentance fulfilled all of Monica's hopes.
MEMORIAL OF SAINT AUGUSTINE, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
Saint Augustine of Hippo, son of Saint Monica, is one of the most distinguished theologians in the history of the Church. He is the patron saint of theologians.
He was captivated by the bishop known as St. Ambrose. By age 33, he was baptized by St. Ambrose, and by 36 he became a priest. At the age of 41, Saint Augustine became a bishop known for his special devotion to the poor.
He is known for his writing The Confessions which focuses on the nature of evil.
A sinner to saint, Saint Augustine died in 430. He is the patron saint of converts to Christianity, printers, and theologians.
MEMORIAL OF THE PASSION OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST
We celebrate the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist on this day. Scripture tells us many people followed John. He was a religious reformer, and a selfless giver, whom people looked to for hope. John the Baptist pointed the way to Christ. Confident of God's grace, he had the courage to speak about repentance and salvation.
According to the Roman Martyrology, this day marks "the second finding of his most venerable head." The body of the saint was buried in Samaria. Pagans desecrated the grave and burned his remains in the year 362. A small portion of relics were able to be saved by monks and sent to St. Athanasius at Alexandria.
Saint John the Baptist died for Christ.