* * *** “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” (Jn 11:5)

— Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus are mentioned in Scripture as being close friends of Jesus. After the death of Lazarus, Martha would profess: “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world.” (Jn 11:27)

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— St. James was called by Christ while fishing on the sea of Galilee with his brother John the Evangelist. Saint James was one of three Apostles who witnessed the Transfiguration and Agony at Gethsemane and also the first of the Apostles to be martyred. — The well-traveled pilgrimage to the apostle’s shrine, known as […]

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* * *** “My Lord and my God!”… the great acclamation of St. Thomas after touching the wounds of Christ (Jn 20:28).

— Although Thomas is best remembered for doubting the Resurrection; his work proved steadfast in preaching the Gospel. After Pentecost, the ‘scattering of The Twelve’ would take Thomas far outside the Roman Empire, preaching the Gospel as far as India.

* * *** We honor Sts. Peter and Paul with the highest order of liturgical feast.

— St. Peter, “Leader of the Twelve,” was chosen by Jesus at the Sea of Galilee: “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” (Mt 16:18) — St. Paul, “Apostle to the Gentiles,” was […]

* * *** “John the Baptist is ‘more than a prophet.’ In him, the Holy Spirit concludes his speaking through the prophets… John ‘came to bear witness to the light.’ In John’s sight, the Spirit thus brings to completion the careful search of the prophets and fulfills the longing of the angels.” (CCC 719)

— We honor the birth of St. John the Baptist with the highest order of liturgical feast. As the Forerunner of the Savior, St. John prepared the way for Jesus, instructing his followers to turn and follow the “Lamb of God.”

* * *** “His most Sacred Heart never ceased, and never will cease, to beat with calm and imperturbable pulsations. Likewise, it will never cease to symbolize the threefold love with which He is bound to His heavenly Father and the entire human race…” (HAURIETIS AQUAS, Pope Pius XII)

— The Solemnity of The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is celebrated today, a reminder of God’s perfect love for us.

* * *** The Holy Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” (CCC 1324)

— “And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And likewise the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in […]

* * *** “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” (Mt 28:19-20)

— The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity is celebrated today, the Sunday following Pentecost… “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you!” (Jn 14:18)

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— Today we commemorate the Blessed Virgin Mary’s joyful visit to her cousin Elizabeth. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth speaks the prophetic words… “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Lk 1:42)

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