-- Romans 8:14-17 –

 -- Romans 8:14-17 =E2=80=93=20

    ...because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear,
but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba,
Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are
God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of
God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in
order that we may also share in his glory.
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
We are no longer cringing and fearful slaves to fear and burdens of
this life; instead we are the Master's children. What a privilege!
Because we are God's children, we share in great treasures as
co-heirs. God has already given us his best gifts; his Son,
forgiveness and eternal life; and he encourages us to ask him for
whatever we need.

<<>><<>><<>>
May 23rd =E2=80=93 St. John Baptist de Rossi (RM)

Born in Voltaggio, diocese of Genoa, Italy, in 1698; died in Rome in
1764; canonized in 1881. When John was young, a nobleman and his wife,
who summered in the village of Voltaggio, took him back to Genoa to be
trained in their home. He stayed for three years, and during that time
he gained the good opinion of two Capuchin friars who visited his
patrons. They told his uncle, the minister provincial of the
Capuchins, of the boy's potential. This resulted in an invitation from
his cousin, Lorenzo Rossi, a canon of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, to come
to Rome. John entered the Roman College at 13. He completed the
classical course of studies but began practicing severe mortifications
after reading an ascetical book. Their severity, combined with a heavy
course load and a bout of epilepsy, led to a breakdown, and he was
forced to leave the college. He recuperated and completed his training
at Minerva but was never again very strong.

At age 23 (1721) he was ordained, and he celebrated his first Mass in
the Roman College. He had visited hospitals as a student, and now he
focused his attention upon them. He concentrated especially on the
hospice of Saint Galla, an overnight shelter for paupers that had been
founded by Pope Celestine III. He divided his labors among Saint
Galla's, the hospital of the Trinita dei Pellegrini, and serving the
people of the area.

John combined the enfleshment of the social Gospel with the cure of
souls. He catechized teamsters, farmers, and the cattlemen from the
country who came to the marketplace, and he sought to help homeless
women and girls who lived in the streets, beggars and prostitutes. He
was penniless except for paltry Mass stipends, but with a local
donation and a donation from the pope, he rented a house behind the
hospice and made it a refuge, placing it under the protection of Saint
Aloysius Gonzaga.

Later, his cousin obtained for John the position of assistant priest
at Santa Maria in Cosmedin at the foot of the Aventine. The church had
not been well attended, but John now drew throngs of penitents of all
classes to his confessional. He was so sought after as a confessor
that he was released from his choir obligation. When his cousin died
in 1736, the canonry was given to John, who used the compensation from
the office to buy the church an organ and to pay an organist. He chose
to live in an attic, giving the house that had been his legacy from
his cousin to the chapter.

Pope Benedict XIV chose John to instruct prison and other state
officials, including the public hangman. His preaching was in great
demand, and he was often asked to give addresses in religious houses.

His ever-frail health compelled him in 1763 to move to the Trinita dei
Pellegrini, where he suffered a stroke that same year and received the
last sacraments. He recovered enough to resume celebrating Mass, but,
in 1764, he had another stroke and died at the age of 66. The hospital
of the Trinita undertook to pay for the poor priest's burial. His
funeral was attended by 260 priests as well as the papal choir.
Archbishop Lercari of Adrianople spoke at the requiem Mass. In 1965,
his relics were translated into the new parish church in Rome, which
is under his patronage (Benedictines, Farmer, White).


Saint Quote:
Do little things as though they were great, because of the majesty of
Jesus Christ who does them in us, and who lives our life: and do the
greatest things as though they were little and easy, because of His
omnipotence.
-- Blaise Pascal

Bible Quote:
 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any
thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.  (Luke 8:17)


<><><><>
Daily Thoughts and Prayers for Our Beloved Dead

"Have pity on me, have pity on me, at least you my friends, because
the hand of the Lord hath touched me" Job. 19-21.

TWENTY-SEVENTH DAY

Let us accept without a murmur all that God sends us. Every morning
let us offer God in behalf of the Souls in Purgatory all our prayers
and good works and we shall help them immeasurably.

Prayer:  Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis.

De Profundis

   Out of the depths, I have cried to Thee,
O Lord, Lord, hear my voice.
   Let Thine ears be attentive to the
voice of my supplication.
   If Thou, O Lord, shalt mark my iniquities,
O Lord, who shall stand it?
   For with Thee there is merciful
forgiveness: and by reason of Thy
law I have waited for Thee, O Lord.
My soul hath relied on His word;
my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
   From the morning watch even until
night; let Israel hope in the Lord.
Because with the Lord there is mercy;
And with Him plenteous redemption.
   And He shall redeem Israel from
all its iniquities.
   Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
And let perpetual light shine upon them:
   May they rest in peace. Amen.

Most merciful Jesus, by the merits of Thy Holy Childhood, deliver from
the pains of Purgatory all the Holy Souls, particularly the soul
longest in paying the debt exacted for his imperfections on earth.
Take him today to Paradise that he may join the Heavenly Choir in
praising Thee and will intercede for me in the hour of need.