St. Simon Stock

Feast date: May 16

On May 16, the Catholic Church remembers Saint Simon Stock, a twelfth- and thirteenth-century Carmelite monk whose vision of the Virgin Mary is the source of the Brown Scapular devotion.

Simon was born during 1165 in the English county of Kent. He is said to have been strongly devoted to God from his youth, to the point that he left home at age 12 to live in the forest as a hermit. Following the customs of the earliest monks, he lived on fruit and water and spent his time in prayer and meditation.

After two decades of solitary life in the wilderness, he returned to society to acquire an education in theology and become a priest. Afterwards, he returned to his hermitage until the year 1212, when his calling to join the Carmelite Order – which had only recently entered England – was revealed to him.

During the early 13th century, a group of monks in the Holy Land sought formal recognition as a religious order. Their origins were mysterious, and by some accounts extended back to the time before Christ, originating in the ministry of the Biblical Prophet Elijah.

The Carmelites’ ascetic, contemplative lifestyle was combined with ardent devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is she who is said to have appeared to Simon Stock, telling him to leave his hermitage and join the order that would soon be arriving with the return of two English Crusaders.

Impressed by the Carmelites’ rigorous monasticism, Simon joined in 1212 and was sent to complete a course of studies at Oxford. Not long after his return to the order, he was appointed its vicar general in 1215. He defended the Carmelites in a dispute over their legitimacy, later resolved by the Popes.

In 1237, Simon took part in a general chapter of the Carmelites in the Holy Land. Facing persecution from Muslims, a majority of the monks there decided to make their home in Europe – including Simon’s native England, where the order would go on to prosper for several centuries

After becoming the general superior of the Carmelites in 1247, Simon worked to establish the order in many of Europe’s centers of learning, including Cambridge, Oxford, and Paris.

Late in his life, Simon Stock reportedly received a private revelation about the Brown Scapular, a monastic garment worn by Carmelites.

“To him,” an early chronicle states, “appeared the Blessed Virgin with a multitude of angels, holding the Scapular of the Order in her blessed hands, and saying: ‘This will be a privilege for you and for all Carmelites, that he who dies in this will not suffer eternal fire.’”

This vision was the source of the Brown Scapular devotion – a tradition which involves the wearing of an adapted version of the garment, along with certain spiritual commitments, by lay Catholics as well as priests and religious.

St. Simon Stock died in France in 1265, 100 years after his birth. He has been publicly venerated since the 15th century.

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One of the big milestones in a baby’s mental development is the ability to understand sequences. First this, then that. After I eat, my hands get washed. When I hit this toy, it swings. If I smile at my mom she will smile back. Eventually, longer and more complicated sequences are understood and trusted to function consistently. 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus proposes a new sequence to the apostles and challenges them to take their faith to the next level. He leads them along a logical line of thinking which draws their attention to the ultimate goal of Jesus’ mission: heaven and union with God. He starts with their collective faith in God the Father and draws them into His new trajectory for belief. This new perspective is grounded in trust and some very basic questions of faith: Do you trust God? If you trust God, trust me. Do you trust me and my words? Then don’t worry about what is going to come or where we are going. 

How quickly we forget to trust in God and not in ourselves. We shouldn’t be too hard on ourselves however, because St. Thomas has already beat us in that respect. He heard the words of Jesus first hand, and in his own way, demonstrates a lack of trust by asking Jesus how they can know the way if they don’t know where they are going. We always want to know where we are going. Thanks to the map apps on our phones we usually know exactly where to turn and when. The point isn’t usually the journey, it’s the conclusion. 

In a beautiful way, Jesus’ logic highlights both the journey and the destination as important considerations for our faith. The goal, or destination, is union with the Father. The way to the Father is union with the Son. Jesus is the way to the Father, and He is also one with the Father. So, both the journey and the destination are intimately united. 

In order to enter into this journey/destination dynamic, we have to trust the logic of Christ. We have to let go of our desire to control the journey of life, of where we think we want to go. If we allow Jesus to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life, then we have, in a certain sense, already found our destination. We can move through life with a peace and a joy that isn’t rooted in the passing circumstances of our situation. 

The logic of Jesus may seem counterintuitive to the logic of the world. But as people of faith we know we can trust that by following wherever Jesus leads we will always discover the way to the Father.

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St. Isidore

Feast date: May 15

Isidore was born in 1070 in Madrid, Spain. His family was poor, and he labored as a farmer on the land owned by a rich man named John de Vergas. He was very pious and such a good worker that de Vergas allowed him to worship daily in the chapel on his property, and because of thes he was often accused by his fellow workers of neglecting his duties because he made prayer a higher priority.

Isidore eventually married a woman named Mary, and together they had a son. However their son died while still very young, and through this they realized that it was the will of God for them not have children, so they lived together chastely the rest of their lives, doing good works.

Although he remained poor, he gave whatever he could spare to the poor. One tale says that as he walked to the mill one day, he stopped and gave half of the corn in his sack to the hungry birds. By the time he got to the mill, his sack had miraculously filled up again. He died in 1130 of natural causes.

Many miracles and cures have been reported at his grave, in which his body remains incorruptible. His wife, too, was canonized—Saint Mary de la Cabeza.

He is the patron saint of agricultural workers and the United States National Rural Life Conference.

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One of the most beautiful parts of our wedding day was when we washed each other’s feet at the reception. This has become a pretty common thing in Catholic circles and we wanted to show each other that we would be willing to serve. More than that though, we really did it for all of the people who came to our reception. We knew that many of them did not believe in a sacramental view of marriage, since some were not even Christian or weren’t practicing a specific religion. So we did this as a witness to others of what marriage should be. 

In the Gospel today we see Jesus giving this witness. Way before we had the idea, Jesus sat His disciples down and showed them through this action what it meant to lead and what it meant to serve. Have you ever looked at a beautiful stained glass window for any length of time? I used to work at a small little church out in the middle of nowhere that had the most beautiful stained glass. When the light hit the glass it would illuminate the story being told. Images do that for us. They let our imagination come alive. 

All throughout our Catholic tradition we have people who were models for us in the faith. We even call Mary the living icon of the Church because she reflects the love of her Son to the world. But in today’s Gospel we see Jesus as the model. Unlike holy sacramentals like statues, candles, and stained glass, Jesus is both an image of what to do, and the One who helps us do it. 

This is why Scripture is clear that He is the sacrifice and the priest all rolled into one. In the Alleluia verse for today we even hear that Jesus is a faithful witness but also the sacrifice who freed us from sin. 

Here in this 4th week of Easter, let’s take a step back and reflect on the past few weeks. Have we allowed God to be the example we need? Have we allowed His love to enter into our hearts? Have we allowed His sacrifice to change us and cleanse us? Stained glass will only have an effect on us if we look at it. Are you looking at Jesus to learn from His example and also thanking Him for giving you the grace to follow Him? Am I?

From all of us here at Diocesan, God bless!

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When I was little I had a sign hanging in my bedroom that read: “The will of God will not take you where the grace of God cannot protect you.” That saying has stayed with me into adulthood and has gotten me through some tough times. Most of us could say that we have experienced events in our lives where we have felt abandoned by God and alone. Sometimes it is hard to believe Jesus when He says “I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.” At least for me, most of the time I have no idea what God is doing, but that’s where love comes in. 

Faith, Hope and Love. And the greatest of these is Love…but why? 

Love, true love, demands trust. Imagine a marriage or friendship without trust, it might be ok at first but eventually it will fall apart. I believe this is where a lot of Christians get lost in their walk with Christ. It reminds me of The Proof of Your Love (The Monologue Mix) by For King + Country. The song includes a spoken bridge about how you can know the ins and outs of religion and repeat Scripture until you’re blue in the face, but if you have not fallen truly and deeply in love with Christ, your knowledge and memory will never be enough to aid you through difficult times in the journey. 

The Lord asks us to trust completely, and through that trust we can experience the deepest and truest love that our hearts were created for. When we reach that point of falling deeply in love with Christ, we will also trust Him to show us His will, knowing that His love will guide us wherever His will may lead us. 

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Jesus “walked about in the Temple area on the Portico of Solomon”, a specific place in a specific time, with a specific meaning and purpose. The Temple was, according to ancient tradition, built on Mount Moriah, where Abraham was led to sacrifice his son, Isaac (Genesis 22:2), on the site of the threshing floor bought by King David (2 Kings 24), and where he erected an altar to the Lord. The first Temple was built by King Solomon, and a later iteration by Herod. 

The Portico was named after Solomon because it was likely built against the same eastern wall Solomon constructed as part of that original Temple; this east boundary of the Temple complex never changed. To the west was the Court of the Gentiles and the Temple itself. To the south was the Royal Porch of Herod, where Jesus sat among the doctors when he was 12 years old (Luke 2:46). To the east was the city wall and the Kidron Valley.

The Portico of Solomon was a grand covered walkway with massive columns, a very significant gathering place for theological discourse and debate. It was here, where great discussions took place, that Jesus taught, visited with people, and shared the Truth. After Pentecost, Peter and John would preach to a large crowd here, and heal the lame man (Acts 3:11-12). It became a gathering place for the early believers (Acts 5:12).

It was here, in a space rich with history and significance, that today’s Gospel takes place. It was Hanukkah. It was cold. And Jesus “walked about.” He was not taking a solitary afternoon stroll; as we’ve seen, this was a place where people gathered and serious debates took place. The Jews gathered around Him to demand an answer to their most pressing issue: “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” So Jesus told them, plainly: “I told you and you do not believe.” 

Then he took it a step further and called them out, saying they are not among His sheep. Speaking even more plainly, He called God his Father, saying, “The Father and I are one.” If we read a little further, we will see that they threatened to stone him to death, the penalty for blasphemy, because He claimed equality with God! He told them plainly, and they refused to accept His answer and tried to eliminate Him. As Jesus said, they do not believe because they are not among his sheep.

Who are His sheep? Those who believe in Him and hear His voice, the voice of Truth. “I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life… No one can take them out of my hand.” What consoling words for those who follow the words of the Good Shepherd, and allow Him to lead! If we continue to listen for His voice, no one can take us away from the One who has laid down His life for His sheep.

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Saint Hunna, known as “The Holy Washerwoman”, was born into aristocracy in Alsace, the daughter of a duke. She married Huno of Hunnaweyer, a nobleman, settling in the Strasbourg diocese. They had one son, Saint Deodatus, who later chose monastic life.

Despite her noble status, Saint Hunna sought a more fulfilling path through service to others, stirred by her deep faith and prayer. Recognizing the harsh conditions of the local peasants, she decided to help by doing their laundry, which marked the beginning of her life’s work and earned her her enduring nickname.

Her commitment grew to include a range of services—from cooking and childcare to teaching hygiene and providing new clothes when the old ones were beyond repair. Saint Hunna’s most compassionate service involved bathing those who could not do so themselves.

She was canonized in 1520 by Pope Leo X and her feast is April 15.

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Saint Lydwine, born in Schiedam, Holland, emerged as the patroness of sickness following a life marked by profound suffering and mystical experiences. One of nine children in a working-class family, her life took a tragic turn following a severe injury in 1396. While ice skating, a collision led to a rib fracture that never healed, triggering a cascade of debilitating illnesses.

These afflictions included continuous headaches, fever, and severe muscular spasms, among others. Notably, Lydwine also experienced the stigmata and was plagued by bedsores, toothaches, and eventual blindness. Despite her constant pain, she believed her suffering was divinely ordained, viewing her myriad illnesses as a means to atone for humanity’s sins.

Her spiritual endurance attracted the attention of Thomas a Kempis, who documented her life and experiences. Acknowledging her sanctity, Pope Leo XIII canonized her in 1890. Lydwine’s feast day is celebrated on April 14.

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On Palm Sunday, also known as the Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, the Christian world steps into Holy Week, marking the commencement of a period steeped in profound religious significance. This day memorializes Christ’s majestic entry into Jerusalem, an event that saw the city’s inhabitants lay their garments on the streets, heralding him as their sovereign with shouts of “Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

In the Western Church tradition, the observance of Palm Sunday begins with the blessing of palms. These palms, destined for the subsequent procession, are sanctified, setting the stage for the retelling of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Should logistical constraints prevent an outdoor procession, a solemn entrance within the church suffices, maintaining the ceremonial essence.

The day’s hymns and psalms echo Christ’s kingly dignity, while Palm Sunday’s alternative moniker, Fig Sunday, hearkens back to the cursing of the fig tree by Christ, integrating a tradition of consuming figs. Across England, the day has borne various names like Olive or Branch Sunday and Sunday of the Willow Boughs, each reflecting local botanical substitutes for palms.

Customs around Palm Sunday have evolved distinctly across regions. In Slavic nations, for instance, the blessed palms traverse homes, fields, and outbuildings in a ritual seeking divine safeguarding and blessings on the land and its yield.

Historical accounts, such as that of the pilgrim Egeria, confirm the practice of Palm Sunday processions as far back as the 4th century in Jerusalem, indicating the deep-rooted tradition of commemorating this event. By the 8th century, texts like the Gallican Bobbio Missal already documented the palm blessing, symbolizing Christ’s triumph.

While the grandeur of the Middle Ages has given way to more subdued observances in the Western Church, the essence of Palm Sunday — reflective of Christ’s victory and anticipation of the Passion — remains unchanged. Notably, the ashes used on Ash Wednesday originate from the palms of the previous year’s Palm Sunday, linking the cycle of penitence and renewal to this significant day.

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During the pontificate of Pope Saint Julius I, from 337 to 352, the Roman Church faced a significant challenge from the Eastern Arians. Despite the Council of Nicaea’s condemnation of Arianism, the sect found increasing support, even influencing Emperor Constantine and his successor in the East, Constantius.

Julius, stepping into the role after a mysterious four-month vacancy following Mark, was soon approached by delegates from Alexandria. They sought his recognition of Pistus as the bishop of Alexandria, claiming that Athanasius, a staunch defender of orthodoxy and a target of Arian scheming, had been rightfully deposed. In response, Athanasius dispatched envoys, and later, presented himself in Rome to argue his case before Julius. The Arians proposed a synod to adjudicate the matter. However, when Julius convened it in 341, they abstained from participation. The Pope proceeded without them, and the gathering of over fifty bishops reinstated Athanasius, deeming his condemnation unjust. Julius conveyed his displeasure with the Arians’ lack of cooperation in a message to Alexandria.

Emperor Constans of the West showed sympathy towards orthodoxy, in contrast to his brother Constantius of the East, who leaned towards Arianism. A significant council was agreed upon by both emperors, aiming for religious unity, a move Pope Julius endorsed. He sent representatives to Sardica, now Sofia, for the council. The effort for unity failed when the Arians, finding themselves in the minority, exited the council, which reaffirmed Athanasius’ position and reiterated the Nicene Creed. Additionally, the council established protocols for appealing to the Pope.

Despite these vindications, Athanasius remained exiled, with Emperor Constans endorsing Arian George until his demise allowed Athanasius’ return. Julius celebrated this development with a letter to Alexandria’s Christians, welcoming their rightful bishop back.

Under Julius, Christianity in Rome flourished, evidenced by the construction of two basilicas and three cemetery churches. Athanasius’ stay in Rome bolstered Egyptian monasticism’s popularity and invigorated the city’s religious life.

Pope Saint Julius I passed away on April 12, 352, and was laid to rest in the Cemetery of Calepodius, where his feast day is observed annually on April 12.

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