This week's feasts
St. Bernard of Clairvaux
In 1111 AD, Bernard left home to enter into a nearby monastery. Between the time that he was accepted into the monastery and when he actually showed up to join, he had convinced his five brothers, two uncles, and 30 of his friends to join with him. This is the kind of leadership he demonstrated throughout his life.
In his time, he would become an advisor to popes, kings, and others. He would found several monasteries and was considered by many to be the man of the century.
Bernard was a very spiritual man and wrote a number of books on prayer and spirituality. Because of his writings and leadership, Bernard has been named as one of the Doctors of the Church.
This Thursday, Aug. 20, is the Feast of St. Bernard of Clairvaux.
In his time, he would become an advisor to popes, kings, and others. He would found several monasteries and was considered by many to be the man of the century.
Bernard was a very spiritual man and wrote a number of books on prayer and spirituality. Because of his writings and leadership, Bernard has been named as one of the Doctors of the Church.
This Thursday, Aug. 20, is the Feast of St. Bernard of Clairvaux.
St. Pius X, Pope
In 1903 Giuseppe Sarto was elected Pope Pius X. He was a reformer, doing battle with a number of heresies, grouped together as Modernism. He moved the reception of First Communion from mid-teens to the age of 7. Pius also declared that the philosophy and theology of St. Thomas Aquinas should be the basis of the study in seminaries.
His motto was, “To renew all things in Christ.” Friday, Aug. 21, is the Feast of St. Pius X.
His motto was, “To renew all things in Christ.” Friday, Aug. 21, is the Feast of St. Pius X.
The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The final mystery of the rosary is the crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth. This confused many people, because we tend to think of a queen as a ruler. But there is another kind of queen, known as the queen mother. Queen Elizabeth’s mother, who had been married to her father, King George, became known as Queen Mother once her husband had died. That remained her title until her death.
The Queen Mother has no power of her own. All of her power and her standing come from her son or daughter on the throne. The same is true for Mary. As Queen Mother, all of her power and glory come from her Son Jesus. She possesses none for herself.
That relationship has been described by comparing them to the sun and moon. Jesus is the sun, and Mary is the moon. The moon would be a cold, dark stone except for the glory of the sun that shines on it. Mary’s glory is reflective glory, as the moon’s light is reflective light.
Saturday, Aug. 22, is the Feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Queen Mother has no power of her own. All of her power and her standing come from her son or daughter on the throne. The same is true for Mary. As Queen Mother, all of her power and glory come from her Son Jesus. She possesses none for herself.
That relationship has been described by comparing them to the sun and moon. Jesus is the sun, and Mary is the moon. The moon would be a cold, dark stone except for the glory of the sun that shines on it. Mary’s glory is reflective glory, as the moon’s light is reflective light.
Saturday, Aug. 22, is the Feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.