Blessed Feast of Saint John the Baptist , the Forerunner of the Lord

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Nativity of John the Baptist, our Lord's precursor who called sinners to repentance as he was preparing the way for Our Lord to assume His Public Ministry. Saint John the Baptist, who had been freed from Original Sin at the moment of the Visitation, lived an austere life of penance and mortification as the last Prophet of the Old Testament.
Saint John’s birth marks the beginning of the great events of humankind Salvation.
Saint John built up anticipation and hope that the Messiah was coming very soon, and would be revealed to the people at any moment.
Saint John came first to help not only prepare for the ministry of Jesus, but also to prepare the hearts of the people.
Let us remember these words from the prophet Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.” Like every child, St. John had a mission and his mission is also our mission and that is pave the way for the Lord.
In addition to the most holy Nativity of the Lord, we find celebrated in the Gospel the birth of only one other, namely, that of blessed John Baptist

Today's celebration of the birth of John the Baptist reminds us of two important things:
One is that in order to first encounter Christ, we must first humble ourselves, admit that we sin and do wrong and acknowledge that we need Him. Saint John came into this world to proclaim the Savior, to give people hope, and to help people recognize their faults and their need of Christ.
The second thing that we are reminded of is that each of us has been placed here for a purpose. We are the "hidden double edged sword", the "arrows in the quiver" and the Lord has great plans for each of us. Maybe we realize our purpose and calling now, and we know that we are where God has placed us. Perhaps we are not sure of our purpose and calling, if this is the case then do not worry, because God is just waiting until you are in the right place to begin revealing His plan to you. We must always have patience and trust in God's plan for us, just as John the Baptist did.
Let us faithfully pray :

Eternal God, You raised up St. John the Baptist to prepare a perfect people for Christ our Lord . Fill Your people with the joy of possessing His grace, and direct the minds of all the faithful in the way of Peace and salvation.
Grant that as St. John was martyred for truth and justice, so we may energetically profess our Faith in You, and lead others to the Way, the Truth, and Eternal Life. Amen.

Novena to the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul ( June 29 )

Holy Apostles Peter and Paul , I choose you this day and forever to be my special patrons and advocates , you blessed Saint Peter - Prince of the Apostles , because you are the Rock upon the Almighty God has build His Holy Church ; you blessed Saint Paul , because you were fore chosen by God as vessel of election and preacher of the truth to the whole world .
Obtain for me , I humbly pray you , lively Faith , firm Hope and burning Love , complete detachment from myself , contempt of the world , patience in adversity , humility in prosperity , attention in prayer , purity of diligence in fulfilling the duties of my state of life ,constancy in my resolutions , resignation to the Will of God and perseverance in the Grace of God even unto death , so that by the means of your intercession and your glorious merits , I might be able to overcome the evil and I be made worthy of the Promises of Christ , enjoy His Presence and love Him forever in time and eternity .

Our Father , Hail Mary , Glory Be . Amen

June 29 th the Holy Church commemorates the martyrdom of the two great Apostles, assigned by tradition to the same day of June in the year 67. They had been imprisoned in the famous Prison of Rome and both had foreseen their approaching death. Saint Peter was crucified; Saint Paul, a Roman citizen, was slain by the sword.
The two great Apostles, Peter and Paul are the solid rock on which the Church is built. They are at the origin of her faith and will forever remain her protectors and her guides.

~Saint Peter the Apostle~
All Scripture is alive with Saint Peter; his name appears no fewer than 160 times in the New Testament. But it is after Pentecost that he stands out in the full grandeur of his office. He sees to the replacement of the fallen disciple; he admits the Jews by thousands into the fold and in the person of Cornelius, opens it to the Gentiles; he founds and for a time rules the Church at Antioch.
Saint Peter is the author of two profoundly doctrinal epistles. He still lives on in his successors who maintain the same holy and immutable doctrine; he still rules and feeds the flock committed to him. The reality of our devotion to him is the surest test of the purity of our faith.
Saint Peter meeting his brother Simon, Andrew said "We have found the Messias", and brought him to Jesus, who, looking upon him, said: "Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is interpreted Peter". Already, at this first meeting, the Saviour foretold the change of Simon's name to Cephas (Kephas; Aramaic Kipha, rock), which is translated Petros (Latin, Petrus) proof that Christ had already special views with regard to Simon. Later, probably at the time of his definitive call to the Apostolate with the eleven other Apostles, Jesus actually gave Simon the name of Cephas (Petrus), after which he was usually called Peter, especially by Christ on the solemn occasion after Peter's profession of faith (Matthew 16:18

~Saint Paul the Apostle~

Saint Paul has left to the Church fourteen Epistles, which have been a fountainhead of doctrine, elucidating the most basic truths taught by Christ, and constituting the consolation and delight of her greatest Saints. His interior life, insofar as words can express it, lies open before us in these divine writings; it is the life of one who has died forever to himself, and risen again in Christ Jesus. Saint John Chrysostom, his imitator, wrote: “The heart of Paul is the Heart of Christ!” Nor will his labor cease while the race of man continues. Paul was the creator of theology, the founder of the Holy Church . Through Saint Paul we have seen that fallen man being unable to arise again unaided, in His mercy sent His Son to save him. It is an elementary and often repeated doctrine of St. Paul that Jesus Christ saves us through the Cross, that we are "justified by His blood", that "we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son" (Romans 5:9-10) .
"Thanks be to God, that you were the servants of sin, but have obeyed from the heart unto that form of doctrine, into which you have been delivered. . . . But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, you have your fruit unto sanctification, and the end life everlasting (Romans 6:17, 22).

Today Saint Basil the Great Feast

The Feast of Saint Basil the Great was moved in the 13th century to June 14 , a date believed to be that of his ordination as Bishop, and it remained on that date until the 1969 revision of the calendar, which moved it to January 2, rather than January 1, because the latter date is occuped by the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. On January 2 Saint Basil is celebrated together with Saint Gregory Nazianzen.

In back to back Doctors of the Church, today the Church celebrates another of the magnificent luminaries God rose up in the 4th century. The holy bishop and Doctor of the Church Saint Basil the Great also faced the intense persecutions and calumnies of the Arian bishops and suffered greatly, never complaining and living a life of austerity while his fellow Arian bishops lived high on the hog. Like his good life-long friend and fellow Doctor of the Church St. Gregory Nazianzen, he,too, came from holy stock and had two brothers who became bishops; a father, mother and sister who became saints. This Bishop of Caesarea is one of the few, along with Popes St. Leo I and St. Gregory I and St. Albert to be given the august title "Magnus" - great.

Saint Basil the Great lived a life of prayer and tranquility, far from the turbulence of city life until his bishop, Eusebius, called upon St. Basil in 364 to help defend orthodox Christianity against the Arian emperor, Valens. In 370 Basil was chosen to succeed Eusebius as bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia. Here he found himself in the thick of the fray between those Orthodox, Catholic Christians who confessed Christ's full divinity, and the various Arian parties who taught that Jesus was not equal to God the Father. He soon was also engaged in battling those called "Pneumatomachi" ("fighters against the spirit") who denied the full divinity of the Holy Spirit.

Saint Basil the Great is both a Father and a Doctor of the church for his holiness, invaluable writings and charitable actions.Saint Basil affirmed the religious character of Christian marriage and comments on Mary’s marriage to St Joseph. As all of the other doctors of the Church, Basil testifies to the eternal virginity of Mary and her great humility that he imitated throughout his life. He died at 49 worn out from good deeds and the love of God for others burning in his heart.

Daily Offering and Litany of Saint Anthony of Padua

Lord have mercy on us
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy on us.
Christ hear us Christ graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son Redeemer of the world,
Have Mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity One God,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of Virgins,pray for us.
St Joseph, caste spouse of Mary, pray for us.
St Francis, Patriarch of the poor, pray for us.
St Anthony of Padua, pray for us.
St Anthony, friend of Jesus and Mary, pray for us.
St Anthony, apostolic man, pray for us.
St Anthony, filled with the Spirit of prophecy, pray for us.
St Anthony, sublime doctor of truth, pray for us.
St Anthony, ornament of the seraphic order, pray for us.
St Anthony, light of Holy Church, pray for us.
St Anthony, preacher of grace,pray for us.
St Anthony, trumpet of Gospel,pray for us.
St Anthony, mirror of regular observance,pray for us.
St Anthony, cultivator of a mortified life, pray for us.
St Anthony, medal of abstinence, pray for us.
St Anthony, example of obedience, pray for us.
St Anthony, lover of poverty, pray for us.
St Anthony, lily of chastity, pray for us.
St Anthony, rose of patience , pray for us.
St Anthony, brilliant gem of sanctity, pray for us.
St Anthony, violet of humility, pray for us.
St Anthony, hammer of heresy, pray for us.
St Anthony, fervent in zeal for Divine worship, pray for us.
St Anthony, thirsting for the salvation of souls, pray for us.
St Anthony, Martyr in desire, pray for us.
St Anthony, lover and assiduous imitator of the Redeemer, pray for us.
St Anthony, devout servant of the Virgin, pray for us.
Mother of God, pray for us.
St Anthony, emulator of the seraphic Francis, pray for us.

Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,
Spare us O Lord.
Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us O Lord.
Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.

Daily Offering to Saint Anthony

O glorious St Anthony,
I choose you for my special patron this day
and all the days of my life.
Design to place me amoung your chosen servants.
During your whole life you were distinguished
for your singular love for Mary
and your Ardent zeal for Her prerogative.
Pray for me that I too may be animated
with a genuine love
and devotion to our Immaculate Mother.
And you, who's intimate love for Jesus
merited for you the privilage of beholding
and carressing Him in His tender infant form,
plead with Him,
that I may be truly One with Jesus in time
and in eternity.

Amen.

Novena to St. Anthony of Padua ~~ Day 9~~

O wonderful St. Anthony,
glorious on account of the fame of your miracles,
and through the condescension of Jesus
in coming in the form of a little child to rest in your arms,
obtain for me of His bounty the grace
which I ardently desire from the depths of my heart..
You who were so compassionate toward miserable sinners,
regard not the unworthiness of those who pray to you,
but the glory of God that it may once again be magnified
by the granting of the particular request..
which I now ask for with persevering earnestness. Amen

Next, recite in honour of St. Anthony:

Our Father,Hail Mary,Glory Be to the Father.

~~ Day Nine~~

Saint Anthony, servant of Mary,
glory of the Church,
pray for our priests,
our Religious Orders, that,
through their pious zeal
and apostolic labors,
all may be united in faith
and give greater glory to God.
St. Anthony, helper of all who invoke you,
pray for me and intercede for me
before the throne of Almighty God
that I'll be granted the favor
I so earnestly seek in this novena..
Next, recite in honour of St. Anthony..


Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be to the Father.

Saint Anthony, pray for us!

Novena to St. Anthony of Padua ~~ Day 8~~

O wonderful St. Anthony,
glorious on account of the fame of your miracles,
and through the condescension of Jesus
in coming in the form of a little child to rest in your arms,
obtain for me of His bounty the grace
which I ardently desire from the depths of my heart..
You who were so compassionate toward miserable sinners,
regard not the unworthiness of those who pray to you,
but the glory of God that it may once again be magnified
by the granting of the particular request..
which I now ask for with persevering earnestness. Amen

Next, recite in honour of St. Anthony:

Our Father,Hail Mary,Glory Be to the Father.

~~ Day Eight~~

O holy St. Anthony,
you have shown yourself so powerful in your intercession,
so tender and so compassionate towards those who honor you
and invoke you in suffering and distress.
I beseech you most humbly and earnestly
to take me under your protection in my present necessities
and to obtain for me the favor I desire..
Recommend my request to the merciful Queen of Heaven,
that she may plead my cause with you before the throne of her Divine Son.
Next, recite in honour of St. Anthony..


Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be to the Father.

Saint Anthony, pray for us!

Novena to St. Anthony of Padua ~~ Day 7 ~~

O wonderful St. Anthony,
glorious on account of the fame of your miracles,
and through the condescension of Jesus
in coming in the form of a little child to rest in your arms,
obtain for me of His bounty the grace
which I ardently desire from the depths of my heart..
You who were so compassionate toward miserable sinners,
regard not the unworthiness of those who pray to you,
but the glory of God that it may once again be magnified
by the granting of the particular request..
which I now ask for with persevering earnestness. Amen

Next, recite in honour of St. Anthony:

Our Father,Hail Mary,Glory Be to the Father.

~~ Day Seven~~

O renowned champion of the faith of Christ,
most holy St. Anthony, glorious for your many miracles,
obtain for me from the bounty of my Lord
and God the grace which I ardently seek in this novena...
(our prayer intention here.)
O holy St. Anthony,
ever attentive to those who invoke you,
grant me that aid of your powerful intercession.
Next, recite in honour of St. Anthony...


Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be to the Father.

Saint Anthony, pray for us!

Novena to St. Anthony of Padua ~~ Day 6 ~~

O wonderful St. Anthony,
glorious on account of the fame of your miracles,
and through the condescension of Jesus
in coming in the form of a little child to rest in your arms,
obtain for me of His bounty the grace
which I ardently desire from the depths of my heart..
You who were so compassionate toward miserable sinners,
regard not the unworthiness of those who pray to you,
but the glory of God that it may once again be magnified
by the granting of the particular request..
which I now ask for with persevering earnestness. Amen

Next, recite in honour of St. Anthony:

Our Father,Hail Mary,Glory Be to the Father.

~~ Day Six~~

O glorious St. Anthony,
chosen by God to preach his Word,
you received from Him the gift of tongues
and the power of working the most extraordinary miracles.
O good St. Anthony,
pray that I may fulfill the will of God in all things
so that I may love Him, with you, for all eternity.
O kind St. Anthony, I beseech you,
obtain for me the grace that I desire,
the favor I seek in this novena...
(our prayer intention here.)

Next, recite in honour of St. Anthony...


Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be to the Father.

Saint Anthony, pray for us!

Novena to St. Anthony of Padua ~~ Day 5 ~~

O wonderful St. Anthony,
glorious on account of the fame of your miracles,
and through the condescension of Jesus
in coming in the form of a little child to rest in your arms,
obtain for me of His bounty the grace
which I ardently desire from the depths of my heart..
You who were so compassionate toward miserable sinners,
regard not the unworthiness of those who pray to you,
but the glory of God that it may once again be magnified
by the granting of the particular request..
which I now ask for with persevering earnestness. Amen

Next, recite in honour of St. Anthony:

Our Father,Hail Mary,Glory Be to the Father.

~~ Day Five~~

I salute you, St. Anthony,
lily of purity, ornament and glory of Christianity.
I salute you, great Saint,
cherub of wisdom and seraph of divine love.
I rejoice at the favors our Lord has so liberally bestowed upon you.
In humility and confidence I entreat you to help me,
for I know that God has given you charity and pity,
as well as power.
I ask you by the love you did feel toward the Infant Jesus
as you held him in your arms to tell Him now
of the favor I seek through your intercession in this novena...
(our prayer intention here.)

Next, recite in honour of St. Anthony...


Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be to the Father.

Saint Anthony, pray for us!

Novena to St. Anthony of Padua ~~ Day 4 ~~

O wonderful St. Anthony,
glorious on account of the fame of your miracles,
and through the condescension of Jesus
in coming in the form of a little child to rest in your arms,
obtain for me of His bounty the grace
which I ardently desire from the depths of my heart..
You who were so compassionate toward miserable sinners,
regard not the unworthiness of those who pray to you,
but the glory of God that it may once again be magnified
by the granting of the particular request..
which I now ask for with persevering earnestness. Amen

Next, recite in honour of St. Anthony:

Our Father,Hail Mary,Glory Be to the Father.

~~ Day Four~~

I salute and honor you,
O powerful helper, St. Anthony.
The Christian world confidently turns to you
and experiences your tender compassion
and powerful assistance in so many necessities
and sufferings that I am encouraged in my need
to seek you help in obtaining a favorable answer
to my request for the favor I seek in this novena...
(our prayer intention here.)

O holy St. Anthony, I beseech you,
obtain for me the grace that I humbly pray.

Next, recite in honour of St. Anthony...


Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be to the Father.

Saint Anthony, pray for us!

Novena to St. Anthony of Padua ~~ Day 3~~

O wonderful St. Anthony,
glorious on account of the fame of your miracles,
and through the condescension of Jesus
in coming in the form of a little child to rest in your arms,
obtain for me of His bounty the grace
which I ardently desire from the depths of my heart..
(our prayer intention here)
You who were so compassionate toward miserable sinners,
regard not the unworthiness of those who pray to you,
but the glory of God that it may once again be magnified
by the granting of the particular request..
(our prayer intention here.)
which I now ask for with persevering earnestness. Amen

Next, recite in honour of St. Anthony:

Our Father,Hail Mary,Glory Be to the Father.

~~ Day Three~~

O purest St. Anthony,
who through your angelic virtue
was made worthy to be caressed by the Divine Child Jesus,
to hold him in your arms and press him to your heart.
I entreat you to cast a benevolent glance upon me.
O glorious St. Anthony,
born under the protection of Mary Immaculate,
on the Feast of her Assumption into Heaven,
and consecrated to her
and now so powerful an intercessor in Heaven,
I beseech you to obtain for me the favor I ask in this novena...
(our prayer intention here.)

O great wonder-worker,
intercede for me that God may grant my request.

Next, recite in honour of St. Anthony...

Our Father,
Hail Mary,
Glory Be to the Father.

Saint Anthony, pray for us!

Novena to St. Anthony of Padua ~~ Day 2~~

O wonderful St. Anthony,
glorious on account of the fame of your miracles,
and through the condescension of Jesus
in coming in the form of a little child to rest in your arms,
obtain for me of His bounty the grace
which I ardently desire from the depths of my heart..
(our prayer intention here)
You who were so compassionate toward miserable sinners,
regard not the unworthiness of those who pray to you,
but the glory of God that it may once again be magnified
by the granting of the particular request..
(our prayer intention here.)
which I now ask for with persevering earnestness. Amen

Next, recite in honour of St. Anthony:

Our Father,Hail Mary,Glory Be to the Father.

Saint Anthony, pray for us!

~~Day Two~~

O miracle-working St. Anthony,
remember that it never has been heard
that you left without help or relief
anyone who in his need had recourse to you.
Animated now with the most lively confidence,
even with full conviction of not being refused,
I fly for refuge to thee,
O most favored friend of the Infant Jesus.
O eloquent preacher of the divine mercy,
despise not my supplications but,
bringing them before the throne of God,
strengthen them by your intercession
and obtain for me the favor I seek in this novena..
(our prayer intention here.)

Next, recite in honour of St. Anthony..

Our Father,Hail Mary, Glory Be to the Father.

Saint Anthony, pray for us!

Novena to St. Anthony of Padua ~~ Day 1~~

O wonderful St. Anthony,
glorious on account of the fame of your miracles,
and through the condescension of Jesus
in coming in the form of a little child to rest in your arms,
obtain for me of His bounty the grace
which I ardently desire from the depths of my heart..
(our prayer intention here)
You who were so compassionate toward miserable sinners,
regard not the unworthiness of those who pray to you,
but the glory of God that it may once again be magnified
by the granting of the particular request..
(our prayer intention here.)
which I now ask for with persevering earnestness. Amen

Next, recite in honour of St. Anthony:

Our Father,Hail Mary,Glory Be to the Father.

Saint Anthony, pray for us!

Day One

O holy St. Anthony,
gentlest of saints,
your love for God and charity for his creatures
made you worthy while on earth to possess miraculous powers.
Miracles waited your word,
which you were ever ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety.
Encouraged by this thought,
I implore you to obtain for me the favor I seek in this novena...
(our prayer intention here.)

The answer to my prayer may require a miracle;
even so, you are the saint of miracles.
O gentle and loving Saint Anthony,
whose heart was ever full of human sympathy,
whisper my petition into the ears of the Infant Jesus,
who loved to be folded in your arms,
and thee gratitude of my heart will always be yours.

Next, recite in honour of St. Anthony...

Our Father,
Hail Mary,
Glory Be to the Father.


Saint Anthony, pray for us!

Introduction to the Feast of St. Anthony ( June 13 )

Venerated as one of the greatest of the Catholic Saints, Saint Anthony of Padua was a man of amazing wisdom and spirit, who lived under extreme simplicity and resonance, aiming at bringing Moslems conversions back to Christianity, and spreading the word of God, following the path of Jesus and living for Him.

Born in 1195, to a noble family in Lisbon, Portugal, Saint Anthony was baptized as Fernando Martins de Bulhoes. Against the wishes of his family, Fernando joined the Augustinian Abbey of St. Vincent when he was 15. He later joined Augustinian Monastery of Santa Cruz at Coimbra, learning the sacred scriptures for nine years.Following the martyrdom of five Franciscan Friars, Fernando decided to die for Christ and joined the Franciscan Friars, accepting the name Anthony. Later, inspired by the life of St Francis of Assisi, who he met at Sicily, Anthony decided to live spreading Christianity through Catholicism. He spent his life in Padua, showing great aptitude for preaching, making electrifying speeches, and drawing thousands towards his sermons. Through him, the public life of Padua was greatly improved.While preaching in Italy, the Pope honored him with the title, “Armory of the Bible." He was commissioned by the Vatican to undertake sermons on feast days.Owing to poor health, Brother Anthony died on June 13, 1231 at Padua. Pope Gregory IX canonized Anthony on May 30, 1232, making him the quickest to achieve sainthood, following which he was declared a “Doctor of the Church”. Saint Anthony is often depicted as a tonsured young man wearing a brown Franciscan robe, holding infant Jesus in one hand and a lily in the other. Sometimes he is portrayed with a book in his hand, befitting his Doctoral role, and is famous as Saint Anthony of Padua.

People are miraculously blessed with their prayer for Saint Anthony, granting their petitions, and in return, believers show their devotion towards Saint Anthony in the form of intercessory prayers or novenas. The prayer for Saint Anthony is diverse, and on Tuesdays, Catholics around the world devote themselves to this great Saint through intercessions and novenas.

Beloved Saint Anthony , pray for us .