Blogs
In the News: November 2, 2015
By Michael Duricy
Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute Features
Updates
Read what the University of Dayton has to say about our redesigned website (see below). What many may have known as "The Mary Page" is now "All About Mary" because that is exactly what it is. Please visit udayton.edu/imri/mary often.
The Marian Library has launched its redesigned website that puts centuries of information about the world's most famous mother at anyone's fingertips.
Click here to learn more.
Mary in Media: Books, Films, Music, etc.
Now Available! God Still Comes: From the Manger to the Heart by Father Johann G. Roten, S.M.
All are invited to experience the nativity collection of the Marian Library in this newly published book from our Art and Spirituality series of publications.
Click here for more information or to order copies online.
From the Marian Treasure Chest
Brother John M. Samaha, S.M., sent us the text below along with the following comments: "I'm happy that The Valley Catholic, (San Jose) included the article below about St. Junipero Serra in their September 29 issue. He deserves more attention as our California saint." Brother Samaha also sent us a web link to a 25-minute video about this new saint."
Junipero Serra, Apostle of California: "I want to be a Missionary." by Brother John M. Samaha, S.M.
Saint Junipero Serra (1713-1784), the first apostle and colonizer of Alta California was a model Evangelizer and is a benchmark for the missionary spirit for spreading and renewing the faith. The church celebrates his feast on July 1.
When Pope Francis visited the USA in September 2015 he canonized him at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC.
A native of Petra on the Spanish island of Majorca and baptized Miguel Jose, he followed in the footsteps of his early educators, the Franciscans, and took the name of Junipero, who was a disciple of St. Francis himself. After a decade of service as a noted preacher and professor of philosophy, he rekindled his early desire to be a missionary and requested to be sent to Mexico in the new World. In 1749 at the age of 36 he wrote a formal petition to his provincial superior: "All my life I have wanted to be a missionary. I have wanted to carry the Gospel teachings to those who have never heard of God and the kingdom he has prepared for them."
Fray Junipero was missioned to the New World in Mexico, where he served the native populations for twenty years. When Spain decided to complete the occupation of California, he and other specially trained Franciscan missionaries accompanied the military and the colonists. During the ensuing fifteen years in Alta California, he founded the first nine of the twenty-one missions. In this period Serra was compelled to confront the military and civil authorities concerning the mistreatment of the Native Americans. He drafted a statement of thirty-two grievances which he personally presented to the Viceroy in Mexico. Some of his recommended improvements were implemented and some were overlooked.
Though afflicted with an ulcerated leg wound, Padre Serra frequently visited his missions, often walking rather than riding horseback because St. Francis of Assisi had always walked. Records show that he baptized and confirmed thousands of natives without neglecting the colonists and the soldiers. He was beloved by all. While concentrating on the spiritual needs of the neophytes and catechumens, he and his collaborators did not forget their material welfare. The natives were taught methods of farming and cattle raising, along with arts and crafts. The native peoples were educated to shift from an unsettled lifestyle to a stable domestic way of life. Serra's extensive written reports filed with government and religious authorities reveal a saintly man who loved and served his people as an adept teacher, organizer, and manager.
Although some Spaniards were guilty of abusive treatment, Padre Serra had never been guilty of mistreatment. On the contrary, he defended them from harm. In 1784 Father Serra died at Mission San Carlos Borromeo, and later he was buried in the sanctuary of its church. When St. John Paul II beatified Junipero Serra on September 25, 1988, he praised the Apostle of California as "an exemplary model of the selfless Evangelizer, a shining example of Christian virtue and the missionary spirit." These are the traits we are challenged to exhibit.
A statue of Junipero Serra represents California in the National Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Imposing statues of the colonizer of California also grace Golden Gate Park in San Francisco and are also prominently placed in many other cities throughout the state. His name has been adopted by the international lay organization of men and women known as the Serra Club, which is dedicated to fostering vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
Saint Junipero Serra witnessed to the holiness of the Church and its concern for all people. As an extraordinary missionary and an exceptional example of the Church's apostolic calling to preach and exemplify the Gospel to everyone, he personifies the spirit of the new evangelization that characterizes our times.
Marian Events
2015 Women of Christ Conference
The seventh annual Women of Christ conference is coming up next Saturday, November 7 in West Bend, Wisconsin. This year's theme is Seeking the Truth: 2000 years of Scripture and Tradition.
Women will hear fascinating speakers: Patrick Madrid, Jennifer Fulwiler, and the Director of Vocations Office for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Father Luke Strand. There will be confessions throughout the day, fabulous shopping, and closing Mass with Archbishop Listecki. Most important, women will share the day with fellow sisters in Christ, basking in His love. How could that not be life changing?
Click here for details.
Mary in the Catholic Press
Pope to Radio Maria: People Welcome Truly Christian Programming from Zenit (Rome) October 29, 2015
This morning the Pope received in audience the participants in the Radio Maria sixth World Congress, taking place in the shrine of Collevallenza, Italy, through Friday and attended by the presidents and priests who direct the 75 Radio Maria broadcasters throughout the world and the further six who will shortly become active. Thousands of volunteers contribute to the running of Radio Maria, which has around 30 million listeners worldwide.
Pope Francis began his address by commenting that ever since its creation, the aim of Radio Maria has been to help the Church in her task of evangelizing, and to do so in its own special way, "with closeness to the concerns and problems of the people, with words of consolation and hope, the fruit of faith and commitment to solidarity.... The spread of Radio Maria in many environments, very diverse in terms of culture, language and tradition, is good news for all as it shows that, when we have the courage to propose high profile content from a clearly Christian position, the initiative is well-received, beyond our best predictions, and at times by those who thereby perhaps come into contact with the message of the Gospel for the first time...."
Click here to read the complete article
Mary in the Secular Press
The director and editors of All About Mary under the auspices of the International Marian Research Institute do not necessarily endorse or agree with the events and ideas expressed in this feature. Our sole purpose is to report on items about Mary gleaned from a myriad of papers representing the secular press.
Pope Leo XIII & the Prayer to St. Michael (Press Release) October 25, 2015
[Boonville, NY—October 1, 2015] Preserving Christian Publications is pleased to announce the release of Pope Leo XIII & the Prayer to St. Michael.
Written by Kevin J. Symonds of Waco, Texas, Pope Leo XIII & the Prayer to St. Michael offers a comprehensive examination into the famous story that Pope Leo XIII was inspired to compose the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel after receiving a supernatural vision. Readers are taken through a journey that investigates this story with many twists and turns that ends in a surprising conclusion.
"In his book Pope Leo XIII and the Prayer to St. Michael," writes Bishop Athanasius Schneider, "Mr. Kevin Symonds presents a very careful and competent historical research about the origin and the circumstances of the publication of the prayer to St. Michael.... Furthermore he gives also a rich spiritual reflection on the Divine truth about the Holy Angels, the fallen angels and the reality and necessity of the spiritual battle. Mr. Symonds' book is indeed very relevant for our times. May this book become widespread and raise to many Catholics--especially the clergy--a new awareness of the necessity to use the spiritual means which God and His Church have given us in order to fight against the infiltration and attacks of the evil spirits."
Pope Leo XIII & the Prayer to St. Michael is available for $16.00 through Preserving Christian Publications, P.O. Box 221, Boonville, NY 13309-0221.
For More information, please call 1-315-942-6617 (toll free: 1-866-241-2742), or E-mail at info@pcpbooks.com; Find us on the web at: www.pcpbooks.net.
Preserving Christian Publications P.O. Box 221 Boonville, NY 13309-0221
1-315-942-6617 1-866-241-2742 (toll free)
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