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Saturday, July 11 – Memorial of Saint Benedict, Abbot, Founder of the Benedictine monastic order Born in Nursia, Italy in the late fifth century, Benedict was educated in Rome, but rejected city life and sought refuge in the wilderness, living as a hermit for a few years while attracting many followers. He was persuaded to found monasteries and lead them as abbot. He later established the great cliff side monastery of Monte Cassino, where he wrote his famous rule. Benedictine monks reside at the Weston Priory and Benedictine nuns live at the Monastery of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Westfield, VT.

Thomas, sometimes called the Twin, is best known for his doubt of Jesus’s resurrection until he had seen and touched the risen Lord’s side and hands. The Gospel tells the story of Our Lord appearing when Thomas was present, and inviting him to touch his sacred wounds. Thomas then cried out, “My Lord and My God!” We may recite this interjection to ourselves at the Elevation of the Host during the consecration at Mass. Thomas also urged his fellow apostles to return with Jesus to Bethany, near Jerusalem where Our Lord had been threatened, saying, “Let us also go and die with Him.” At Bethany, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Thomas traveled to Asia to spread the Gospel and was martyred there.

During July, we honor the great sacrifice of Our Lord’s Precious Blood. We often are able to take His Precious Blood in the Holy Eucharist. July 1, and later, the first Sunday in July, formerly were feasts of the Precious Blood. The first celebration was established by Pope Pius IX in 1849 when he was living in exile away from Rome during the First Italian War for Independence. One of the pope’s companions was Don Giovanni Merlini, Superior General of the Fathers of the Most Precious Blood. Don Merlini asked the Holy Father to declare a feast day to the Precious Blood to hasten an end to the war.

The Chrism Mass has been rescheduled for Tuesday, June 30 at 2:00 pm at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Burlington. At this special Mass, celebrated by Bishop Coyne, the Oil of Chrism is consecrated, the Oils of Catechumens and the Sick are blessed, and the priests within the Diocese of Burlington recommit themselves to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ. Because of the Cathedral’s capacity limits due to the pandemic and the presence of the priests of the diocese, seating for the general public will be very limited, and all present are asked to wear a mask and practice the proper physical distancing and hand sanitizing protocols. Those wishing to attend must RSVP either online at https://vermontcatholic.org/event/chrism-mass-3/ Chrism Mass - Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington Limited seating. Below is the online registration (preferred) but you may also register by calling Josh Perry: (802) 448-3515. Please remember to bring your mask and practice social distancing. View All Posts by This Author vermontcatholic.org (preferred method) or by calling Josh Perry at (802) 448-3515. The Mass will also be live-streamed on the diocesan website.

Saint Peter, the Rock, the first pope, prince of the apostles, was martyred in Rome in 66 or 67 A.D., crucified upside down, as he felt himself unworthy to be executed in the same upright position as his Lord and Master, Jesus the Christ. Saint Peter was buried on the Vatican hill where his tomb and the great basilica that bears his name stand. Saint Paul, born Saul, and a ferocious persecutor of the first Christians, was executed in Rome around the same time as Saint Peter. This apostle to the Gentiles received a dramatic conversion call from Our Lord after Our Savior’s time on Earth, and traveled to many countries to spread the Gospel, writing his famous letters to the various fledgling Christian communities.

Wednesday, June 24 – St. John was related to Jesus through his mother, Mary. The angle Gabriel told the Blessed Virgin at the Annunciation that her older cousin, Elizabeth, was expecting a child. John was born a few months before Our Savior, and grew up to become “a voice of one crying out in the desert,” the forerunner of the Redeemer, preparing the way for the Christ. John also baptized Jesus in the Jordan River as Our Lord began his public ministry. John at first objected that he was unworthy of this act, but obeyed when Jesus told him to perform the ritual “to fulfill all righteousness.” The province of Quebec usually celebrates this feast day as a provincial holiday, with many businesses and offices closed amid parades, fireworks, and local and family festivities. Some events are canceled this year because of the corona virus crisis.

Friday, June 19 – Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Saturday, June 20 – Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sunday, June 21 – 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time We return to the Sundays in Ordinary, or ordered, time, which continues until the Solemnity of Christ the King at the end of November, when we end the liturgical year.

Tuesday, June 9 - Optional Memorial of St. Ephrem, deacon and Doctor of the Church. Fourth century Syrian-born Scripture scholar, poet and preacher, referred to as the Harp of the Holy Spirit. Thursday, June 11 - Memorial of St. Barnabas, apostle. Although not one of the original twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, St. Barnabas is included in their company because of his zeal and preaching in the time after Christ’s death and resurrection. Barnabas was a friend and companion of St. Paul. Saturday, June 13 - Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua, priest and Doctor of the Church. Born in Portugal, St. Anthony is the patron saint of lost things and revered as a miracle worker. He joined the Franciscans and was a firm defender of the faith, especially throughout Italy He also was a great friend to the poor - St. Anthony’s Bread, a money collection, is named in his honor. Sunday, June 14 – Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Corpus Christi

Christ revealed this devotion to French Visitation nun Margaret Mary Alacoque in 1673. Pope Pius IX declared the feast day in 1856, placing it at the end of the Octave of the Feast of Corpus Christi. Catholics had worshipped the Sacred Heart in earlier times, but devotion spread widely after the revelations to Sister Margaret Mary, when Jesus showed her His Sacred Heart surrounded by flames. “My Heart is so full of love for men,” Christ said, “that It can no longer contain the flames of Its burning love. I must discover to men the treasures of My Heart and save them from perdition." In 1899, Pope Leo XIII consecrated mankind to the Sacred Heart. Within this devotion, Christ also bestowed the Twelve Promises, and the graces and blessings of Nine First Fridays.

Monday, June 1 - Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church; Pope Francis inaugurated this feast day in 2018, to honor Mary, who carried, bore, and mothered Jesus, stood under the cross with Him, prayed in the Upper Room with the apostles, and received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. Memorial of St. Justin, martyr. Second century scholar and writer, who composed two famous defenses of the faith, addressed to two persecuting Roman emperors. Tuesday, June - Optional Memorial of Sts. Marcellinus and Peter, martyrs, fourth century. Peter was an exorcist and Marcellinus a priest who both were imprisoned for their faith, under the Emperor Diocletian. Wednesday, June 3 - Memorial of St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, 19th century martyrs. Charles and 21 other young Uganadan men, who served at the royal court, were martyred by order of their king for their Catholic faith. Friday, June 5 - Memorial of St. Boniface, 8th century bishop and martyr. St. Boniface was a Benedictine monk and a great medieval figure. He is the apostle to and patron of Germany, where he was martyred, sent to convert those peoples by Pope Gregory II. St. Boniface is buried at the renowned Fulda Abbey. Saturday, June 6 - Optional Memorial of St. Norbert, bishop, who lived in the 11th and 12th centuries. Norbert transformed his life after a dramatic conversion, and became a great archbishop in his native Germany. Sunday, June 7 – Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (First Sunday of restricted public Masses in the Burlington Diocese)

Monday, May 25 – Memorial Day Optional Memorial of St. Bede the Venerable, priest and Doctor of the Church. Seventh and eighth century, English Benedictine monk and historian, called Venerable during his life because of his fervent, sound, and eloquent writings on the Scripture and Catholic doctrine. Optional Memorial of St. Gregory VII, pope. Eleventh century Benedictine monk, cardinal and pope, who contended with the Holy Roman Emperor, strove to cleanse the Church of abuses and defend her before civil authorities. The Emperor finally exiled Gregory from Rome. He died the next year in Salerno, Italy. Optional Memorial of St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi, virgin. Born in the 16th century, she died in 1607. This saint was a Carmelite nun and mystic who experienced many spiritual ecstasies and practiced great austerities in her life. Her motto was “Suffer, not die!” Her incorruptible body is displayed in a glass coffin at the Carmelite church in Florence, Italy. Tuesday, May 26 – Memorial of St. Philip Neri, 16th century Italian priest, renowned for his happy and funny personality. He founded the first Congregation of the Oratory, a group of priests who lived, worshipped, and worked together without vows. This first oratory was the model for the British oratories founded by Saint John Henry Newman in the 19th century. Oratories are found today throughout the world. Saint Philip Neri also is the patron saint of the U.S. Army Special Forces and of the city of Rome. Wednesday, May 27 - Optional Memorial of St. Augustine of Canterbury, bishop. Seventh century priest sent by the pope from Rome with other Benedictine monks to convert the English peoples. St. Augustine was the first Archbishop of Canterbury. Friday, May 29 – Optional Memorial of St. Paul VI, pope. Italian archbishop and cardinal, born at the end of the 19th century, he died in 1978, succeeded by Pope John Paul I, who died only a month after his election as pope. Pope Paul VI succeeded Pope Saint John XIII in 1963. Paul VI completed the Second Vatican Council and set in place many changes, including a new Roman Missal. He also issued Humanae Vitae, On Human Life, the landmark papal encyclical that rejected artificial contraception. Sunday, May 31 – Pentecost Sunday Also The Feast of the Visitation when the date falls on a weekday.

Memorial Day grave blessings at the New Mount Calvary Cemetery on Monday, May 25 by Fr. Harlow.

Monday, May 18 – Optional Memorial of St. John I, Pope and Martyr, 6th century. John died in prison in Ravenna (Italy), sentenced there by the Arian King Theodoric after a mission to the Emperor Justin in Constantinople. Jealous of Pope John’s magnificent reception at the imperial court and furious at Emperor Justin’s opposition to the Arian heresy, the King threw Pope John in prison, where the elderly pontiff died a few days later. Wednesday, May 20 - Optional Memorial of St. Bernardine of Siena, priest. Fourteenth century Italian Franciscan priest and inspiring preacher with great love for the Holy Name of Jesus. Thursday, May 21 - Optional Memorial of St. Christopher Magallanes, priest and martyr, and his companions, martyrs; St. Christopher and fellow Mexican parish priests and laymen gave their lives for the faith during the anti-Catholic presidency of Plutarco Calles during the 1920s. Optional Memorial of St. Eugene de Mazenod, 18th and 19th century French bishop who ministered to the poor and founded the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Friday, May 22 – Optional Memorial of St. Rita of Cascia, 14th century Italian wife, mother, widow, and religious. Her suffering and religious devotion won the conversion of her abusive husband. St. Rita also is known as the saint of the impossible. Ascension Thursday – Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, 40 days after Easter. Holy Day of Obligation. Some dioceses transfer this Solemnity to the next Sunday. We celebrate the ascension of Jesus Christ our Lord to Heaven, to reign with his Father. Mass this year … The requirement to attend Mass is lifted by the rules of the corona virus pandemic.

We celebrate this yearly holiday on the second Sunday of May, also the month of Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Mother of our Savior, Mother of God. There may be a special blessing for mothers at Mass this weekend. Look up a blessing for the mothers in your life. Here’s one prayer, among many you may find, this one from Catholic Online. “Mary, on this day when we honor all mothers, we turn to you. We thank the Lord whom you serve for the great gift of motherhood. Never has it been known that anyone who sought your intercession was left unaided by grace. Dear Mother, thank you for your ‘Yes’ to the invitation of the angel which brought heaven to earth and changed human history. You opened yourself to God's word and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. Dear mother, intercede for all of our mothers. Ask your Divine Son to give them the grace of surrendered love so that they could join with you in giving their own "Fiat." May they find daily strength to say yes to the call to the sacrificial love- the very heart of the vocation of motherhood. May their love and witness be a source of great inspiration for all of us called to follow your Son. On this Mothers day, Mother of the Word Incarnate, pray for us who have recourse to you... In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

Click the title link above to read the litany that Fr Lance W Harlow, Rector, at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Burlington prayed , on May 1, while the American bishops were re-consecrating the United States to our Lady of the immaculate conception; Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of the diocese of Burlington before her statue at the cathedral. The litany is prayed every Monday night at the Cathedral. During the month of May, Father has entrusted the Diocese to its patronness seeking her intercession and protection for all the men, women, its churches and institutions.

Bishop Louis E. Gelineau, D.D. will celebrate his 92nd birthday on Sunday, May 3, 2020. Ceal Moran is putting together a “card shower” to help him celebrate. If you would like to participate, you can send Bishop Louis an email and send it to: ceal@finalfreedom.com. Please put Card Shower in the Subject line of the Email. If you wish to mail a card to him, the address is: Villa at St. Antione, # 230, 400 Mendon Road, N. Smithfield, RI 02896. + + + + + + + + + Bishop Emeritus of Providence “Rejoice in Hope” Louis E. Gelineau was born on May 3, 1928 in Burlington, Vermont, the son of Leon G. and Juliette Baribault Gelineau. He received his early education at St. Joseph’s Elementary School and Cathedral High School in Burlington. He studied for the priesthood at St. Paul’s University in Ottawa and was ordained June 5, 1954. Following his ordination, he served as assistant pastor for two years at All Saints Parish in Richford and one year at St. Stephen Parish, Winooski. He then entered the Catholic University of America, obtaining a degree in Canon Law in 1959. Returning to the Diocese of Burlington, he was named Assistant Chancellor, Diocesan Director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and Assistant Chaplain at De Goesbriand Memorial Hospital in Burlington. He became Chancellor of the Diocese in 1961 and was named a Papal Chamberlain with the title of Monsignor by Pope Paul VI. In 1968, he was named Vicar General of the Diocese of Burlington and a Prelate of His Holiness. He was named Bishop of Providence in December 1971. He has served on numerous boards and committees concerned with church and civic matters and holds many honorary degrees from Rhode Island colleges and universities.

St. Peter Chanel – 19th century French priest, missionary with the Marists (Society of Mary), martyred in the South Pacific. St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort – 18th century French priest, famous for his devotion to the Blessed Mother, especially in his books True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, and Secret of the Rosary. St. Gianna Molla – 20th century Italian physician, wife and mother, who refused to abort her unborn daughter in order to save her own life from a uterine tumor. She died from the growth a week after delivering her healthy baby girl, in 1962. Wednesday, April 29: St. Catherine of Siena – Doctor of the Church. Born in Siena, Italy in the 14th century, she became a Third Order Dominican. As a child, she began receiving visitations from Our Lord. Later in her short life, St. Catherine worked to return the Papacy to Rome from Avignon, France. Thursday, April 30: St. Pius V – 16th century Dominican Pope. Carried out the decrees of the Counter Reformation Council of Trent, and organized the Holy League to defend against the Ottoman Turks. The Pope presided over the great naval victory of Lepanto by the League's fleet in October, 1571. Friday, May 1, First Friday: St. Joseph the Worker – feast day celebrating the right to work and the dignity of labor. Saturday, May 2: St. Athanasius – Doctor of the Church. Fourth century bishop and defender of the faith against the Arian heresy which denied Christ’s divinity.

The Cathedral of St. Joseph now has online giving direct from your debit or credit card! It's really easy to use. You can select weekly or special collections and Joseph's House. The timing couldn't have been better. Copy this link to make your contribution today. https://app.gabrielsoft.com/guest/vtbldiocese/55 If you wish to mail in your contribution please send them to the 113 Elmwood Ave. Burlington, VT 05401 address.

This Sunday, April 19, 2020 is the Second Sunday of Easter, and the Sunday of Divine Mercy or Divine Mercy Sunday. The Divine Mercy devotion was revealed by Our Lord Jesus Christ to Polish Mercy Sister Faustina Kowalska, now a saint, in visitations during the 1930s. Here are the words of Jesus to Saint Faustina: “My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come forth from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy.” We recall the familiar Divine Mercy image of Jesus with white and red rays representing blood and water radiating from His sacred heart. A Divine Mercy portrait hung in the Cathedral during the 2015-2016 Year of Mercy, along with the Holy Door erected at the entrance to the middle aisle. Divine Mercy Sunday began with a Congregation of Divine Worship decree in 2000 with the first observance in 2001. Saint Pope John Paul II celebrated the first Divine Mercy Sunday, and died on the feast day eve in 2005. We are encouraged to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet to mark the feast, especially at the hour of mercy, 3:00 p.m. The National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, MA will broadcast the chaplet and other devotions and features this Sunday. You can also pray the Divine Mercy Novena before the feast day, beginning on Good Friday. Some people are displaying Divine Mercy picture during the coronavirus epidemic.

Octave of Easter – eight days starting on Easter Sunday and ending the Second Sunday of Easter, which is also Divine Mercy Sunday. Every day of the Octave is a Solemnity, the Church’s highest feast day. We light the tall, white, decorated Pascal candle. We sing the Gloria, hear a special Easter Alleluia verse, and may recite the Easter Sequence before the Gospel. The priest uses an Easter preface. We also repeat “Alleluia” after we say the final “Thanks be to God” at the end of Mass. The priest’s vestments are white or gold, for the both the Octave and the Easter season. The Easter season comprises Easter Sunday, the Easter Octave, and the weeks following through Ascension Thursday (40 days after Easter), ending at Pentecost Sunday, 50 days after Easter. During the Easter season, we hear at Mass stories of the Resurrection from the Acts of the Apostles: Mary Magdalene and the apostles at the tom, the Lord’s appearance on the road to Emmaus, His meeting with the apostles on the shore of Lake Tiberias, and other familiar accounts. If you usually pray the Angelus, you will replace it during the Easter season with the Regina Caeli (Queen of Heaven) prayer. The Easter season offers plenty of time to celebrate the holiday, with Easter egg hunts, flowers, springtime animals such as lambs, rabbits, and baby chicks in toys and food, and special treats from the Easter basket, a homemade lamb cake or Easter bread. The Easter season also is the time for making one’s Easter duty, the Church’s requirement that we receive Holy Communion during this season.