Catholic Tower

A PRAYER O Mary, powerful Virgin, thou art the mighty and glorious protector of holy Church; thou art the marvelous help of Christians; thou art terrible as an army in battle array; thou alone hast destroyed every heresy in the whole world. In the midst of our anguish, our struggles and our distress defend us from the power of the enemy and at the hour of our death receive our souls in paradise. Amen ~ St. John Bosco An indulgence of 3 years. A plenary indulgence under the usual conditions, when this prayer has been devoutly recited every day for a month (S. P. Ap., Feb. 20, 1923 and July 29, 1933). ~ The Raccolta (1943)

St. John reproached Herod for his unlawful union. The adulterous Herodias and her shameless daughter, Salome, asked Herod to behead the Precursor. The Gospel of the Mass describes his martyrdom. ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ August 29th~ The BEHEADING of ST. JOHN the BAPTIST MAY the holy feast of Thy Precursor and Martyr, St. John the Baptist, we beseech Thee, O Lord, afford us help unto salvation. Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen. Collect, August 29, The Beheading of St. John the Baptist ~ The Saint Joseph Daily Missal (1950) ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ St. John the Baptist, pray for us.

Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary ~ August 29th TWELVE METHODS OF PRACTISING THIS DEVOTION (continued) The feast of the Nativity of Mary is the feast of the birth of her Heart, which on that day began to live a life more holy than any other life. The feast of the Presentation of Mary in the Temple commemorates the solemn and public dedication of her Heart to eternal Love, which is God Himself. The feast of her angelic Marriage with St. Joseph is the feast of the divine betrothal of the two purest of Hearts, two virgin Hearts so closely united that they form but a single heart which loves God more thin do all the hearts of the Seraphim. ~ Saint John Eudes, The Admirable Heart of the Most Holy Mother of God (1680)

Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary~ August 28th MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL GIFT OF COUNSEL IN MARY (continued) It was, however, in two circumstances of her life especially that Mary gave proof of possessing the supernatural gift of counsel in a superior degree. The first was at the moment of her presentation in the Temple. She then clearly perceived how pleasing it would be to God if she consecrated herself to Him by a vow of perpetual virginity: nor did she wait till riper years to put this vow into effect, thus showing how her actions were eminently characterized by the gift of counsel which animated each of them. ~ Very Rev. Alexis M. Lepicier, O.S.M., The Fairest Flower of Paradise (1922)

Sayings of the Saints “Conquer yourself, and the world lies at your feet.” ~ Saint Augustine St. Augustine of Hippo, pray for us.

Final Advice in Regard to Holy Communion When He has granted us this gift we owe Him homage for it as for all others; but God only requires that each of His creatures should render an account of what he has received, and free-will is the one thing that has been accorded indiscriminately to all men. Thus we find Saint Francis de Sales, who possessed in such a high degree sensible love of God and all the natural virtues, making this positive declaration: "The greatest proof we can have in this life that we are in the grace of God, is not sensible love of Him, but the firm resolution never to consent to any sin great or small." (continued) ~ Light and Peace, R.P. Quadrupani, Barnabite (1904), written in 1795. Sedes Sapientiæ, ora pro nobis. Seat of Wisdom, pray for us.

Final Advice in Regard to Holy Communion When He has granted us this gift we owe Him homage for it as for all others; but God only requires that each of His creatures should render an account of what he has received, and free-will is the one thing that has been accorded indiscriminately to all men. Thus we find Saint Francis de Sales, who possessed in such a high degree sensible love of God and all the natural virtues, making this positive declaration: "The greatest proof we can have in this life that we are in the grace of God, is not sensible love of Him, but the firm resolution never to consent to any sin great or small." (continued) ~ Light and Peace, R.P. Quadrupani, Barnabite (1904), written in 1795. Sedes Sapientiæ, ora pro nobis. Seat of Wisdom, pray for us.

2 of 2 PRAYER To Saint Jude Thaddeus Make use I implore thee, of that particular privilege given to thee, to bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly— (Here make your request) and that I may praise God with thee and all the saints forever. I promise, O Blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor thee as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to thee. Amen. ~ National Shrine of St. Jude (Holy Card) Chicago, Illinois

2 of 2 PRAYER To Saint Jude Thaddeus Make use I implore thee, of that particular privilege given to thee, to bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly— (Here make your request) and that I may praise God with thee and all the saints forever. I promise, O Blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor thee as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to thee. Amen. ~ National Shrine of St. Jude (Holy Card) Chicago, Illinois

PRAYER To Saint Jude Thaddeus ~ To be said when problems arise or when one seems to be deprived of all visible help, or for cases almost despaired of. Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor who delivered thy beloved Master into the hands of His enemies has caused thee to be forgotten by many, but the Church honors and invokes thee universally, as the patron of hopeless cases, of things almost despaired of. Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone. (continued)

BINDING PRAYER TO BLIND THE DEMONS Most gracious Virgin Mary, thou who wouldst crush the head of the serpent, protect us from the vengeance of the evil one. We offer our prayers, supplications, sufferings and good works to thee so that thou mayest purify them, sanctify them and present them to thy Son as a perfect offering. May this offering be given so that the demons that influence us (or could influence us or name the person) do not know the source of their expulsion and blindness. Blind them so they know not our good works. Blind them so that they know not on whom to take vengeance. Blind them so that they may receive the just sentence for their works. Cover us with the Precious Blood of thy Son so that we may enjoy the protection which flows from His Passion and Death. We ask this through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen. ~ Deliverance Prayers for Use by the Laity (2016)

2 of 2 August 28th~ The Feast of St. Augustine Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church His mother, St. Monica, died seven months later when, with her son, she was about to return to Africa. St. Augustine remembered her always in his prayers and offered the Holy Mass for her soul. He was made bishop of Hippo in 395, and established a common life for his clergy. The rule of St. Augustine is drawn from his 211th epistle which he wrote for nuns and which later was adapted for the men. He is one of the few saints who was appreciated even during his lifetime; his contemporaries recognized his sanctity and his learning. No council was held at that time in Africa of which the Bishop of the small city of Hippo was not the leading spirit. He died in 430. His body was saved by African bishops from the profanation of the Vandals. It was taken first to Sardinia, and then to Pavia, where it is still preserved in Ciel d'Oro. ~ The New Roman Missal (1937) St. Augustine, pray for us.

1 of 2 August 28th~ The Feast of St. Augustine Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church St. Augustine was born at Tagaste. Africa. in 354. In his early life he abandoned the pious teaching of his mother and fell into grievous sins. Finally at Milan he was converted by the example and words of St. Ambrose and baptized in 387. (continued)

2 of 2 PETITIONS of ST. AUGUSTINE Humiliem me, exaltem te. May I humble myself and exalt Thee. Nihil cogitem nisi te. May I think of nothing except Thee. Mortificem me et vivam in te. May I die to myself and live in Thee. Quæcunque eveniant accipiam a te. May I receive whatever happens as from Thee. Persequar me, sequar te. May I banish self and follow Thee. Semperque optem sequi te. And ever desire to follow Thee. Fugiam me, confugiam ad te. May I fly from myself and fly to Thee, Ut merear defendi a te. That I may deserve to be defended by Thee. Timeam mihi, timeam te, May I fear for myself and fear Thee, Et sim inter electos a te. And be among those who are chosen by Thee. Diffidam mihi, fidam in te. May I distrust myself and trust in Thee. Obedire velim propter te. May I be willing to obey on account of Thee. Ad nihil afficiar nisi ad te. May I cling to nothing but to Thee. Et pauper sim propter te. May I be poor for the sake of Thee. Aspice me, ut diligam te. Look upon me that I may love Thee. Voca me ut videam te. Call me that I may see Thee, Et in æternum fruar te. Amen. And ever and ever enjoy Thee. Amen. ~ St. Augustine (354-430) 50 days, once a day. Leo XIII, Br. September 25, 1883. ~ The Raccolta (1910) ✧❁✧✿✧❁✧✿✧❁✧

1 of 2 ✧❁✧✿✧❁✧✿✧❁✧ PETITIONS of ST. AUGUSTINE Latin with English DOMINE Jesu, noverim me, noverim te, Lord Jesus, may I know myself and know Thee. Nec alquid cupiam nisi te. And desire nothing save only Thee. Oderim me et amem te. May I hate myself and love Thee. Omnia agam propter te. May I do everything for the sake of Thee. (continued)

Final Advice in Regard to Holy Communion This explanation is intended to reassure such persons as are disposed to feel anxious when they find nothing in their hearts to correspond with the effusions of sensible love with which books of devotion abound in the preparation for Holy Communion. These usually make the mistake of taking for granted the invariable existence of sentiment, and of addressing it exclusively. How many souls do we not see who in consequence grow alarmed about their condition, believing they are devoid of grace notwithstanding their firm will to shun sin and to please God! They should, however, not give way to anxiety, nor exhaust themselves by vain efforts to excite in their hearts a sensibility that God has not given them. (continued) ~ Light and Peace, R.P. Quadrupani, Barnabite (1904), written in 1795. Sedes Sapientiæ, ora pro nobis. Seat of Wisdom, pray for us.

VIRGIN, WHOLLY MARVELLOUS Hymn VIRGIN, wholly marvellous, Who didst bear God's Son for us, Worthless is my tongue and weak Of thy purity to speak. 2 Who can praise thee as he ought? Gifts, with every blessing fraught, Gifts that bring the gifted life, Thou didst grant us, Maiden-Wife. 3 God became thy lowly Son, Made himself thy little one, Raising men to tell thy worth High in heav'n as here on earth. 4 Heav'n and earth, and all that is, Thrill to-day with ecstasies, Chanting glory unto thee, Singing praise with festal glee. 5 Cherubim with fourfold face Are no peers of thine in grace ; And the six·wing'd seraphim Shine, amid thy splendour, dim. 6 Purer art thou than are all Heav'nly hosts angelical, Who delight with pomp and state On thy beauteous Child to wait. ~ St. Ephrem Syrus (c. 303-373) Tr. J. W. Atkinson, S.J. (1866-1921) ~ The Westminster Hymnal (1939)

St. Augustine was born at Tagaste, Africa in 354. Monica, his mother, constantly prayed for his conversion. At thirty-five years of age, St. Augustine finally received baptism. At forty-one, he became Bishop of Hippo. From 5is time until his death, he wrote voluminous works that have been the admiration of the ages. His sublime knowledge merited for him the title of one of the greatest Doctors of the Western Church. ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ August 28th ~ Feast of ST. AUGUSTINE, Bishop, Confessor Doctor of the Church GIVE heed, almighty God, and by the intercession of Blessed Augustine, Thy Confessor and Bishop, graciously grant the effect of Thy accustomed mercy to those to whom Thou grantest confidence to hope for forgiveness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen. Collect, August 28, St. Augustine, Bishop, Confessor ~ The Saint Joseph Daily Missal (1950) ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ St. Augustine, pray for us.

Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary ~ August 28th TWELVE METHODS OF PRACTISING THIS DEVOTION (continued) The fifth is the feast of the Joys of the Heart of Mary on July 8th. There are in addition many others, for all feasts of the Blessed Virgin are really feasts of her Admirable Heart. The feast of the Immaculate Conception, celebrated on December 8th, is the feast of the Creation or formation of her most holy Heart, which was fashioned by the almighty hand of God and filled with grace and love from the very first of its creation. ~ Saint John Eudes, The Admirable Heart of the Most Holy Mother of God (1680)