Blessed John Paul II: Eucharistic Adoration in the Life of St. Jose Maria Rubio

"The most important aspect of the apostolate for Fr Rubio was prayer; adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament was the centre of his entire life. The love of Christ was what Fr Rubio wanted to give to the poor. For him and his collaborators, prayer came first, and it was through this intense prayer life that they received the strength to minister in the poorest and most abbandoned areas of Madrid and to assist the people spiritually."

~ Excerpt from Homily of Blessed John Paul II ~

"Are you truly making an effort to adore God? In this Sacred Host lies the whole of His omnipotence, all His wisdom, the perfect goodness of Jesus Christ, since therein rests His living heart as it is also in heaven. When we adore in this way, we adore in spirit and in truth." (Source)

~ St. Jose Maria Rubio, S.J. ~

Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, Mother of all priests and our Mother, help us respond generously to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of His Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests.  Amen.

St. Alphonsus Liguori: "Like Pastor, Like Parish"

"The good morals and salvation of the people depend on good pastors.

If there is a good priest in charge of the parish,

you will soon see devotion flourishing,

people frequenting the Sacraments,

and honoring the practice of mental prayer.
Hence the proverb:

'Like pastor, like parish': Qualis pastor, talis parochia.

According to this word of Ecclesiasticus (x:2)

Those who dwell in the state, take after their ruler.'

Qualis est rector civitatis tales et in habitantes in ea."

~ St. Alphonsus Liguori ~

Please pray for the sanctification of priests. 

Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, Mother of all priests and our Mother, help us respond generously to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of His Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests.  Amen.

The Consecrated and Holy Hands of Catholic Priests

“O wonderful dignity of the priests,” cries out St. Augustine;

 “in their hands, as in the womb of the Blessed Virgin, the Son of God becomes incarnate.”

~ From The Dignity and Duties of the Priest by St. Alphonsus Liguori ~

~ Related post:  The Beautiful Hands of a Priest ~

Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, Mother of all priests and our Mother, help us respond generously to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of His Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests.  Amen.

Saint John Eudes: Characteristics of a Worthy Priest

"The worthy priest is an angel of purity in mind and body,

a cherub of light and knowledge,

a seraph of love and Charity,

an apostle of zeal in work and sanctity,

 a little god on earth in power and authority, in patience and benignity.

He is the living image of Christ in this world,

of Christ watching, praying, preaching, catechizing, working, weeping,

going from town to town, from village to village,

suffering, agonizing,

sacrificing Himself and dying for the souls created to His image and likeness...

He is the light of those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

 He is the destroyer of error, schisms and heresies,

 the converter of sinners,

the sanctifier of the just,

 the strength of the weak,

the consolation of the afflicted,

the treasure of the poor.

He is the confusion of hell,

the glory of heaven,

 the terror of demons,

the joy of angels,

the ruin of Satan's kingdom,

the establishment of Christ's empire,

the ornament of the Church..."

~ Saint John Eudes ~

~ Saint John Eudes, pray for priests and pray for the souls entrusted to their care. ~

Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, Mother of all priests and our Mother, help us respond generously to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of His Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests.  Amen.

 

St. John Eudes and Pope Benedict XVI: The Blessing of Saintly Shepherds

"One of the basic characteristics of a shepherd must be to love the people entrusted to him, even as he loves Christ whom he serves. “Feed my sheep”, says Christ to Peter, and now, at this moment, he says it to me as well. Feeding means loving, and loving also means being ready to suffer. Loving means giving the sheep what is truly good, the nourishment of God’s truth, of God’s word, the nourishment of his presence, which he gives us in the Blessed Sacrament. My dear friends – at this moment I can only say: pray for me, that I may learn to love the Lord more and more. Pray for me, that I may learn to love his flock more and more – in other words, you, the holy Church, each one of you and all of you together. Pray for me, that I may not flee for fear of the wolves. Let us pray for one another, that the Lord will carry us and that we will learn to carry one another."

~ Pope Benedict XVI ~ 

"The most evident mark of God's anger and the most terrible castigation He can inflict upon the world are manifested when He permits His people to fall into the hands of clergy who are priests more in name than in deed, priests who practice the cruelty of ravening wolves rather than the charity and affection of devoted shepherds. Instead of nourishing those committed to their care, they rend and devour them brutally. Instead of leading their people to God, they drag Christian souls into hell in their train. Instead of being the salt of the earth and the light of the world, they are its innocuous poison and its murky darkness....

"When God permits such things, it is a very positive proof that He is thoroughly angry with His people, and is visiting His most dreadful anger upon them. That is why He cries unceasingly to Christians, 'Return, O ye revolting children...and I will give you pastors according to my own heart' (Jer. 3, 14-15) Thus, irregularities in the lives of priests constitute a scourge upon the people in consequence of sin.

"On the other hand, the greatest effect of God's mercy, the most precious grace He bestows upon mankind, is to send worthy priests, men after His own heart, seeking only His glory and the salvation of souls. The greatest blessing that God bestows upon a church, the most single manifestation of divine grace, is to have a saintly shepherd, be he bishop or priest. This is indeed a grace of graces and the most priceless of all gifts for it includes within itself every other blessing and grace. What is a priest after God's heart? He is an inestimable treasure containing an immensity of good things.....

"The [holy] priest is a sun cheering the world by his presence and bearing. He brings heavenly blessings into every heart. He dispels the ignorance and darkness of error and radiates on every side bright beams of celestial light. He extinguishes sin and gives life and grace to the multitudes. He imparts new life to the weak, inflames the lukewarm, fires most ardently those who are aglow with the sacred flame of divine love...."

~ St. John Eudes ~

PLEASE PRAY DAILY FOR OUR HOLY FATHER AND ALL BISHOPS AND PRIESTS!

Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, Mother of all priests and our Mother, help us respond generously to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of His Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests.  Amen.

St John Bosco, Priest: A Life Given for the Salvation of Souls

"Priest at the altar,

priest in the confessional,

priest among my boys,

and priest in the king's palace or his ministers' offices:

I will be nothing but a priest." 

~ St. John Bosco ~

Venerable Margaret Bosco to her son John:

"To see you with the cassock fills my heart with joy. But remember that the habit is not what gives honor to the state, but the practice of virtue. If at any time you should come to doubt of your vocation, I beseech you to lay it aside at once; I would rather have a poor peasant for my son than a negligent priest. When you came into the world I consecrated you to our Lady; when you began to study, I bade you honor her and have recourse to her in all your difficulties; now I beg you to take her for your Queen."

~ From Don Bosco, Seeker of Souls by Msgr. Paul E. Campbell ~

Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, Mother of all priests and our Mother, help us respond generously to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of His Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests.  Amen.

Saints Say to Pray for Priests Instead of Criticizing Them

We know that St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the angelic Carmelite nun, just before she died made her last Holy Communion for this sublime intention: to obtain the return of a stray priest who had renounced his vocation. And we know that this priest died repentant, invoking Jesus.

We know that there are more than a few souls, especially virginal souls, who have offered themselves as victims on behalf of priests. These souls are favored by Jesus in an absolutely singular way. Let us, then, also offer prayers and sacrifice for priests, for those in danger and for those who stand more firmly and securely, for those who are straying and for those who are already advanced in perfection. Unfortunately, people tend much too readily to criticize the defects of priests, while it is rather rare that someone will pray for them.

St. Nicholas of Flüe, a famous Swiss saint, father of a family, bluntly told anyone too ready to point out the faults of priests: "And you, how many times have you prayed for the sanctity of priests? Tell me: what have you done to obtain good vocations for the Church?"

One time, a spiritual daughter of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina accused herself in Confession of having criticized some priests for their less than worthy behavior and heard Padre Pio forcefully and decisively reply: "Instead of criticizing them, think of praying for them."

~ Excerpt from Jesus Our Eucharistic Love by Fr. Stefano Manelli, O.F.M. Conv.,S.T.D. ~

Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, Mother of all priests and our Mother, help us respond generously to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of His Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests.  Amen.

St. Francis Xavier; The Need for Missionaries

“The native Christians have no priests. They know only that they are Christians. There is nobody to say Mass for them; nobody to teach them the Creed, the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Commandments of God’s Law...The older children would not let me say my Office or eat or sleep until I taught them one prayer or another. Then I began to understand: ‘The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these’...Many, many people hereabouts are not becoming Christians for one reason only: there is nobody to make them Christians. Again and again I have thought of going round the universities of Europe, especially Paris, and everywhere crying out like a madman, riveting the attention of those with more learning than charity."

~ St. Francis Xavier ~

Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priests, Mother of all priests and our Mother, help us respond generously to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of His Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests.  Amen.

Holy Desires: Imitation of the Saints in the Way of Perfection

"St. Teresa says that the devil seeks to persuade us that it would be pride in us to desire a high degree of perfection, or to wish to imitate the saints. She adds, that it is a great delusion to regard strong desires of sanctity as the offspring of pride; for it is not pride in a soul diffident of herself and trusting only in the power of God, to resolve to walk courageously in the way of perfection, saying with the Apostle: I can do all things in him who strengthened me. 1 Of myself I can do nothing; but, by his aid I shall be able to do all things, and therefore I resolve, with his grace, to desire to love him as the saints have loved him."

~  St. Alphonsus Liguori:  Excerpt from The True Spouse of Jesus Christ ~

"Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

God our Father in heaven,

God the Son, our redeemer,

God the Holy Spirit,

Holy Trinity, One God

Holy Mary Mother of God,

Saint Joseph, Spouse of Mary,

Saints Peter, Paul and Holy apostles,

Saint Isaac Jogues and Holy Martyrs,

Saint Patrick, Bishops and Priests,

Saints Dominic and Catherine,

Saints Francis and Claire,

Saint Theresa of Jesus,

Saint Peter Claver,

Saint Juan Diego,

Saint Rose of Lima,

Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys,

Saint Thérèse of Lesieux,

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton,

Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini,

Saint John Neumann,

Saint Teresa Benedicta,

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha,

Blessed Edmund Rice,

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta,

Lord, show us your kindness

Draw young people to serve you,

in priesthood,

and religious life.

Inspire the people of our world

with respect for human life

that there may be an end

to the culture of death.

Guide and protect

the dioceses of Baltimore,

Boston, Louisville, New York,

Philadelphia and all your Church.

Keep our Holy Father,

our Bishops and all clergy,

in faithful service

to your Church."

Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, Mother of all priests and our Mother, help us respond generously to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of His Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests.  Amen.

St. John of Capistrano, Priest: Defender of the Rights of God

Those who are called to the table of the Lord must glow with the brightness that comes from the good example of a praiseworthy and blameless life. They must completely remove from their lives the filth and uncleanness of vice. Their upright lives must make them like the salt of the earth for themselves and for the rest of mankind. The brightness of their wisdom must make them like the light of the world that brings light to others. They must learn from their eminent teacher, Jesus Christ, what he declared not only to his apostles and disciples, but also to all the priests and clerics who were to succeed them, when he said, "You are the salt of the earth. But what is salt goes flat? How can you restore its flavor? Then it is good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."

Jesus also said: "You are the light of the world." Now a light does not illumine itself, but instead it diffuses its rays and shines all around upon everything that comes into its view. So it must be with the glowing lives of upright and holy clerics. By the brightness of their holiness they must bring light and serenity to all who gaze upon them. They have been placed here to care for others. Their own lives should be an example to others, showing how they must live in the house of the Lord.

~ St. John of Capistrano, from Mirror of the Clergy ~

 From Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate:   St John Capistrano was known as the defender of the rights of God preaching throughout Europe and fought many heresies and led the Christians troops against the invading Muslims.

Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, Mother of all priests and our Mother, help us respond generously to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of His Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests. Amen.

St. Paul of the Cross: "Carry to the altar the needs of the entire world."

"The Mass is the most favorable occasion to speak with the eternal Father,

 because then we offer Him His only Son as a victim for our salvation.

Before celebrating, reflect on the sufferings of your Redeemer,

commune peaceably with Him, even in the midst of dryness;

carry to the altar the needs of the entire world."

~ St. Paul of the Cross ~

Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, Mother of all priests and our Mother, help us respond generously to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of His Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests.  Amen.

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque: All for the Eucharist

"Let every knee bend before Thee, O greatness of my God, so supremely humbled in the Sacred Host.

May every heart love Thee, every spirit adore Thee and every will be subject to Thee!"

"All for the Eucharist; nothing for me,"

~ St. Margaret Mary Alacoque ~

Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, Mother of all priests and our Mother, help us respond generously to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of His Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests.  Amen.

St. Bruno, Founder of the Carthusian Order: Visiting a Carthusian Monastery

“I believe the sacraments which the Church believeth, and in particular that the bread and wine consecrated on the altar are the true Body of our Lord Jesus Christ; His true Flesh, and His true Blood, which we receive for the remission of our sins, and in the hope of eternal life.”

~ Saint Bruno ~
Quote and more information from here.

"Our life is like that woman who seemingly wastes oil on the feet of Jesus.  When you love you can also do something foolish; the most beautiful and significant follies are done for love."

" We give our life, we waste it for Jesus, for God, because we felt He called us.  It's a calling of love and we reply with love; but with this waste, breaking the vase as the Scriptures say, the perfume is spread in all the house.  I think the perfume of our life spreads in all the Church, in all the world."

~ Words of two Carthusians, from  video 4 ~

Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, Mother of all priests and our Mother, help us respond generously to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of His Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests.  Amen.

St. Therese of Lisieux: Powerful Little Acts of Charity

"By our little acts of charity practiced in the shade we convert souls far away,

we help missionaries, we win for them abundant alms;

and by that means build actual dwellings spiritual and material for our Eucharistic Lord."

~ St. Therese of Lisieux ~

Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, Mother of all priests and our Mother, help us respond generously to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of His Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests.  Amen.

St. Padre Pio: Words of Wisdom

"A thousand years of enjoying human glory

is not worth even an hour spent sweetly communing with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament."

~ St. Padre Pio ~

Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, Mother of all priests and our Mother, help us respond generously to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of His Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests. Amen.

St. John Chrysostom: Christ Sanctifies the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

"I wish to add something that is plainly awe-inspiring, but do not be astonished or upset. This Sacrifice, no matter who offers it, be it Peter or Paul, is always the same as that which Christ gave His disciples and which priests now offer: The offering of today is in no way inferior to that which Christ offered, because it is not men who sanctify the offering of today; it is the same Christ who sanctified His own. For just as the words which God spoke are the very same as those which the priest now speaks, so too the oblation is the very same."

"It is not the power of man which makes what is put before us the Body and Blood of Christ, but the power of Christ Himself who was crucified for us. The priest standing there in the place of Christ says these words but their power and grace are from God. 'This is My Body,' he says, and these words transform what lies before him."

~ St. John Chrysostom ~

Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, Mother of all priests and our Mother, help us respond generously to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of His Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests. Amen.

Sermon by St. Augustine: "Suffer for My Sheep"

Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, Mother of all priests and our Mother, help us respond generously to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of His Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests. Amen.

St. Jane Frances de Chantal: The Martyrdom of Love

"The principal foundation of the spiritual life is love

and its most important fruit is union with God and neighbor.

Hearts in conflict are closed to heavenly graces,

but hearts united in love are open to receive all of God's gifts."

~ St. Jane Frances de Chantal ~

Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, Mother of all priests and our Mother, help us respond generously to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of His Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests. Amen.

St. Maximilian Kolbe: God Remains With Us in the Blessed Sacrament

"God dwells in our midst, in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar."

"He remains among us until the end of the world.

He dwells on so many altars, though so often offended and profaned."

"If angels could be jealous of men,

they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion."

Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, Mother of all priests and our Mother, help us respond generously to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of His Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests. Amen.

St. Peter Chrysologus: The Priesthood of the Christian

Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, Mother of al priests and our Mother, help us respond generously to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of His Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests. Amen.