Today is the memorial of
St. Angela Merici,
foundress of the Ursulines
(1474 – 1540)
St. Angela Merici was born in the region of Lombardy, Italy. Her deep piety drew her to make a private vow of virginity at a young age. Her parents died when she was ten, and soon afterwards she lost her sister with whom she was very close. Angela went to live with her uncle, and, despite lacking a formal education, she grew in wisdom and virtue.
St. Angela committed herself to prayer, penance, and serving the poor, eventually joining the Third Order of St. Francis at the age of fifteen. When her uncle died she returned to her home, and, seeing a great need for the education of young girls in the Christian faith, began a school for girls in her house. She daily gathered all the little girls of her village and taught them the faith. St. Angela became known for her holiness, and soon she was invited to establish another school in a neighboring town. One day while in prayer she received a vision that she would start a religious order intended for
the religious education of girls. This was realized when St. Angela founded the Ursulines under the patronage of St. Ursula.
St. Angela Merici is the patron saint against illness, death of parents, and of the disabled and handicapped.
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Day 9 of Nine Days for Life
Intention
May civic leaders work for the protection of all human life, in every stage and circumstance.
Prayers
Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be
Reflection
The Declaration of Independence boldly affirms that first among our inalienable rights is the right to life, given to us by the Creator. Yet despite being so solemnly proclaimed, the right to life is today threatened and often denied, particularly at the moments when life is most fragile. Our laws should—first and foremost—protect life. But “our highest Court does not recognize children in their mothers’ wombs as persons and claims that abortion is a constitutional right. Further, many political leaders work actively to increase access to abortion. Some falsely describe it as health care and even as a basic human right” (Priorities at the Polls). Laws and policies that legalize or promote an intrinsic evil like abortion violate the virtue of justice.
Those who work as public officials and civic leaders have a duty to serve the common good, and therefore have a profound obligation to safeguard this most fundamental right to life. Through our own prayer, witness, and civic participation, we can encourage our leaders to truly answer their call to protect the rights of all people. For “there can be no true democracy without a recognition of every person’s dignity and without respect for his or her rights” (Evangelium vitae 101).
Acts of Reparation
(Choose one.)
- Sacrifice some of your free time to do a small act of service, such as making breakfast for a family member, writing a note of encouragement to a coworker, or praying for the intentions of a friend
- Sometimes restrictions on religious freedom constrain our efforts to live out the Gospel of life. We must be free to live out our Catholic faith in the public square. Offer this Prayer for Religious Liberty, that Christians may always be free to respect, protect, and defend human life.
- Offer some other sacrifice, prayer, or act of penance that you feel called to do for today’s intention.
One Step Further
When discussing faithful citizenship in 2019, the U.S. bishops reaffirmed, “the threat of abortion remains our preeminent priority because it directly attacks life itself, because it takes place within the sanctuary of the family, and because of the number of lives destroyed.” Archbishop Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas and former Chair of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, explains more in Priorities at the Polls.
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The Following is the
Program of Prayer & Study
Thursday, January 27th, 2022
My dear sisters and brothers in Christ
Please stay safe. Be prudent. Wash hands often. Practice physical distancing. Wear your mask in all indoor public places.
Contact one person today who does not have many people to contact them.
Above all, pray!
United in prayer in Christ.
Father Shawn
Daily Readings: cccb.ca
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Catechism in a Year Day 16
33. What are the symbols of faith?
The symbols of faith are composite formulas, also called "professions of faiths" or "Creeds", with which the Church from her very beginning has set forth synthetically and handed on her own faith in a language that is normative and common to all the faithful.
Further reading: CCC 185-188, 192, 197
34. What are the most ancient symbols (professions) of faith?
The most ancient symbols of faith are the baptismal creeds. Because Baptism is conferred "in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19), the truths of faith professed at Baptism are articulated in reference to the three Persons of the Most Holy Trinity.
Further reading: CCC 189-191
The symbols of faith are composite formulas, also called "professions of faiths" or "Creeds", with which the Church from her very beginning has set forth synthetically and handed on her own faith in a language that is normative and common to all the faithful.
Further reading: CCC 185-188, 192, 197
34. What are the most ancient symbols (professions) of faith?
The most ancient symbols of faith are the baptismal creeds. Because Baptism is conferred "in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19), the truths of faith professed at Baptism are articulated in reference to the three Persons of the Most Holy Trinity.
Further reading: CCC 189-191
35. What are the most important symbols of faith?
They are the Apostles' Creed which is the ancient baptismal symbol of the Church of Rome and the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed which stems from the first two ecumenical Councils, that of Nicea (325 A.D.) and that of Constantinople (381 A.D.) and which even to this day are common to all the great Churches of the East and the West.
Further reading: CCC 193-195
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TODAY AT 9 AM
Father Shawn Hughes is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Rosary with Father Shawn
Time: Jan 27, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/73265343428?pwd=jqrNQIygN8qO6QCLYJwv5_PM6jxWkf.1
Meeting ID: 732 6534 3428
Passcode: Dr5wJ1
Time: Jan 27, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/73265343428?pwd=jqrNQIygN8qO6QCLYJwv5_PM6jxWkf.1
Meeting ID: 732 6534 3428
Passcode: Dr5wJ1
