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      In her column this week, Sister Mary Lucy Astuto shares with all some more memories of her dear departed earthly mother and Sister Lucy's own human feelings of filial love and the void left from a motherly imprint that left an indelible mark on Sister's life as she relates in her column. For her column this weekend, God called Mama part two. click on GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER

GOD CALLED MAMA part two

      It will be two weeks tomorrow since God called Mama into eternity. I’m lonesome for her. I took care of her day and night for the last two years and with her death, my life must take on a change and adjustment. She used to call me constantly and sometimes it was quite wearying to hear her calling so, but now I’m lonesome for the sound of her voice and wish I could hear it again.

      Love is based on knowledge, and I just thought that if I could tell you a few more things that characterized my wonderful mother, that you, too, would “love” her more.

      Mama grew old sweetly. She was not a crotchety, cantankerous old person. She was a 5’2” little ol’ Italian white and dark-haired lady whose smile won everyone over the first time they met her.

      Gentleness and sweetness marked her approach to people. She was quiet and soft-spoken, but within the walls of her own home, she was most comfortable speaking, inquiring, directing.

      Mama was satisfied with the simple life. She never expected diamonds and fur coats; she shunned the worldliness of the world and ventured outside her home only for the necessaries, like Church, the hair dresser and the grocery store.

      I remember as a kid that whenever she needed to go downtown to buy us clothes, etc., she would take the street car. She first went to Penny’s and looked things over and then walked from one store to another to find the best deal and price. Usually, she wound back up and Penny’s for the purchase and I used to wonder why she just didn’t save herself the time and trouble by buying at Penny’s in the first place. Mama needed to find the best deal for the money.

      We were poor growing up. My Dad was a shoemaker who learned his trade at the age of seven in the old country of Sicily. There were five children and my parents went without a lot in order to provide for us. We were poor, but we had a sufficiency with love. THAT was priceless.

      To her last day, Mama called me “sweetheart.” She called all of her children “sweetheart.”

      Oh, for the sound of her voice again! To hold her again; to tell her again that I love her!

      Earlier the day she died, I had said to her: “Mama, I think you’re going to see Dad again soon!”

      She just looked at me. I continued: “Mama, when you get to Heaven, you have to help ME!” Again, she just looked at me!

      Where would we be without our Faith? “Life is changed, not taken away!” we hear in the liturgy. "I go to prepare a place for you!" Jesus said. "He who eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood will live forever."

      Mama, I miss you! But I know I will see you again and there will be no more tears and no more painful separation. Come for me, Mama, when it is my time, and remember your poor daughter who needs you more than ever.

      But for now, sweetheart, ... rest in peace! I love you!

      And to you dear readers, God bless you!

     This weekend we observe the Fifth Sunday of Easter, after celebrating Easter Weekdays. But more importantly we celebrate the First Saturday of May with the glorious feast of Saint Joseph the Worker after Friday's feast of Pope Saint Pius V. For the readings, liturgy, meditations and vignettes, click on DAILY LITURGY FOR THE WEEKEND.

Friday, April 30: Fourth Friday of Easter and
Feast of Pope Saint Pius V

First Reading: Acts 13: 26-33
Psalms: Psalm 2: 6-11
Gospel Reading: John 14: 1-6

      A Dominican who followed in the tradition of St. Catherine of Siena nearly two centuries later was Cardinal Michael Ghislieri who went on to become the great Pope Saint Pius V. Another of the great saints who God rose up in the "Century of Saints," Pius V was one of the most influential in Church history as he brought about renewal in the Church, carrying out many of the reforms that would reinstate the holiness and status of Holy Mother Church. Amidst the ruin of the Protestant Reformation, the corruption within the Church, and the threat of Turkish invasion, Pius carried out the teachings of the Council of Trent which had begun in 1545. The fruits of Trent are still evident today for Pius ordered the founding of seminaries for the training of priests, published a new Missal, Breviary, Catechism and initiated the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) for the youth to learn the faith. In addition, he established the Tridentine Mass which he proclaimed would be said "in perpetuity." His devotion to the Rosary and spreading the power of Our Lady's special weapon, proved victorious when he summoned all Catholics to throw themselves upon the Mercy of God and pray the Holy Rosary in begging God to save the Church from the Turks. On October 7, 1571 against unsurmountable odds, the Christian forces were miraculously victorious over the Turks in the Gulf of Lepanto off of Greece. The tremendous power of the Rosary was made manifest and that date became the official feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Pius died in 1572.

Saturday, May 1: Easter Weekday
Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker

First Reading: Acts 13: 44-52
Psalms: Psalm 98: 1-4
Gospel Reading: John 14: 7-14

      So much has been said about this very special, holy, pure and quiet saint...and yet, so little is really known about Saint Joseph. No one can pinpoint the exact year he died, but we do know he died a happy, peaceful death richly deserved because of his obedience to the Will of God in being the earthly guardian of God's Own Son and the Immaculate Mother He chose to fulfill the Act of Redemption. Saint Joseph is the saint most often invoked for the grace of a happy death and the assurance that Jesus is spiritually present at that time with every dying soul. While Mary was the heart of the Holy Family, Joseph was the head, yet always submitting to a higher Power in all things...from accepting Mary's virgin birth as truly from God to rallying the family in the cold of the night to flee from Herod's wrath into a land he knew nothing about, only that God would not abandon him nor those he was charged to watch over. Every virtue can be attributed to this saint who bridged the Old Law, born into the royal family of David's lineage, and the New Law and guided to maturity Jesus Christ, our Savior. Because of his role in protecting the Holy Family he has been designated Protector of Holy Mother Church as well. He is the patron saint of workers for he lifted the work ethics to a new level and taught these values to the Son of God.

SUNDAY, May 2:
FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

First Reading: Acts 6: 1-7
Psalms: Psalm 33: 1-2, 3-5, 18-19
Second Reading: 1 Peter 2: 4-9
Gospel Reading: John 14: 1-12

Though it is superseded by the Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 2nd is the traditional feast of Saint Athanasius:

Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

      Born in Egypt early in the fourth century, Saint Athanasius was chosen to defend His Church against the Arian heresy at an early age, being sent to champion the cause of Holy Mother Church at the Council of Nicea in 325 AD. His dedication and writings attracted the attention of all and he quickly was made Patriarch of Alexandria and almost single-handedly fended off the Arian heresy for well over forty years before succumbing peacefully in 373. Though he had been persecuted by the Arians for many, many years, his prayers, writings, preaching and actions won many over to the true teaching through the humility and persistence of this staunch Defender and Doctor of the Church. Despite the sacriligeous acts of the heretic Arius who had forced the emperor to have him reinstated in the Church, God smote the heretic down in the presence of countless witnesses as Arius attempted to enter the church of St. Sophia. Through Athanasius' prayers, the sacrilege was averted and the horrible death Arius met in challenging the authority of God's Church prompted countless Arians to be converted back to Catholicism.

Monday, May 3, 1999

Monday, May 3:
Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles

First Reading: 1 Corinthians 15: 1-8
Psalms: Psalm 19: 2-5
Gospel Reading: John 14: 6-14

      These two saints were both Apostles hand chosen by Jesus. Sacred Scripture records that when Saint Philip first met Jesus, he went to Nathaniel - "We have found Him of Whom Moses wrote in the Law and the Prophets, Jesus of Nazareth, Son of Joseph." Nathaniel's famous reply: "Can any good come out of Nazareth?" Philip, Nathaniel, James and all the other Apostles and disciples would soon discover the answer: YES! After Our Lord ascended, Philip preached the Gospel in Asia Minor and was horribly crucified there in 80 AD. Saint James, known as James the Less to distinguish himself from James the Greater was a cousin of Jesus and a brother of the Apostle Saint Jude Thaddeus. James was also known as James the Just to depict the austere, chaste life he led of penance and prayer. He was one of the first to see Jesus after His Resurrection. Like Philip, he preached the Gospel but was also appointed Bishop of Jerusalem and sat beside Saint Peter and Saint Paul during the Council of Jerusalem. Later, after Paul had escaped the wrath of the Jews by appealing to Caesar the angry Jews turned on James and stoned him, driving him to a tower where he was thrown off and struck his head, dying instantly of a massive concussion. The sword he holds represents his martyrdom, while the cross Philip clutches represents his death.

      In honor of the beatification of Padre Pio, we present a special Prayer to obtain the glorification of this humble friar with the Imprimatur by Archbishop Valentino Vailati in Manfredonia in 1971. He was the prelate who on February 16, 1973 consigned the documentation to the Sacred Congregation for the Causes of Saints to obtain the "nihil obstat" for the beginning of the process of Padre Pio's beatification after his death on September 23, 1968. On Sunday, May 2 his canonization grows one step closer.

O Jesus, full of grace and charity, victim for sinners, so impelled by love for us that You willed to die on the cross, I humbly beseech You to glorify in Heaven and on earth the Servant of God, Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, who generously participated in Your sufferings, who loved You so much and labored so faithfully for the glory of Your Heavenly Father and for the good of souls. With confidence I beseech You to grant me, through his intercession, the grace of (here place your petition) which I ardently desire. (Then say three Glory Be's).

Events this weekend in Church History

      This weekend we observe the death of a great and holy Sovereign Pontiff Pope Saint Pius V who died on May 1, 1572. He was the Holy Father who enacted the many, many counter-reforms after the Council of Trent. It was he who decreed the Roman Missal and pronounced that the Latin Mass should be said "in perpetuity." For other events throughout the centuries that are memorable in Church history this weekend, click on MILLENNIUM MILESTONES AND MEMORIES

Historical Events in Church Annals for April 30:

311 A.D.


Roman Emperor Galerius issues the first edict of toleration for Christianity ending three centuries of terrible persecutions.

1250 A.D.


Saint Louis IX, King of France, ransoms his crusaders and himself in a deal with the Saracens at Daimetta, allowing the freed troops to go to the Holy Land.

1492 A.D.


Christopher Columbus receives his commission for exploration of the New World from Queen Isabella of Spain.

1623 A.D.


Birth of Franaois de Montmorency Laval who would go on to become the first Bishop of Canada.

Historical Events in Church Annals for May 1:

1169 A.D.


The first Normans land on Irish soil, beginning an emigration that would civilize the country and from it the Irish would evolve.

1229 A.D.


The Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II Hohenstaufen leaves the Holy Land though Pope Gregory IX had wanted him to stay to secure everything. His disobedience prompted the Holy Father to excommunicate the German king.

1308 A.D.


Death of King Albert I of Habsburg of Germany, murdered by his disinherited nephew Charles of Valois.

1316 A.D.


Coronation of King Edward Bruce coronated as King of Ireland.

1308 A.D.


Death of Saint Peregrine Laziosi, a Servite priest and healer of cancer to which he is the patron saint of cancer victims.

1572 A.D.


Death of Pope Saint Pius V, 225th successor of Peter and one of the great pontiffs in Church annals. Pius carried out the decrees of the Council of Trent and decreed the use of the Roman Missal. See DAILY LITURGY

Historical Events in Church Annals for May 2:

686 A.D.


Death of Saint Ultan brother of Saints Fursey and Foillan, all Irish monks. Ultan died at Peronne, Ireland at the monastery where he was abbot.

373 A.D.


Death of Saint Athanasius, Archbishop of Alexandria, Eygpt and Doctor of the Church.

1519 A.D.


Death of Leonardo da Vinci, master painter extraordinaire known most for his famous "Last Supper" painting.

1568 A.D.


The Catholic Queen of Scots Mary Stuart escapes from Loch Leven.

"You must immerse yourself in the ocean of Divine Mercy, for only My Mercy will shield you from the Justice of the Father."

      Those words above come from Our Lord on the Feast of the Visitation on May 31, 1994 in which Jesus imparted a number of things to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart in Message #501 and 502 on June 2, 1994. He asks us all to take Him up on His call to immerse ourselves in His Divine Mercy and also to help facilitate the beginning of the congregation of contemplative nuns who will dedicate their lives to calling down Divine Mercy on the world. It would be a year later on May 23, 1995 almost to the date of Our Lord's message here that the Institute of Divine Mercy would finally receive episcopal approved and begin. For Messages 501 and 502, click on "I SOLEMNLY TELL YOU..."

Message Five-Hundred-one, May 31, 1994

(Imparted to the Hidden Flower by the Sacred and Merciful Heart of Jesus)

      Beloved Hidden Flower of My Mother's Immaculate Heart, I bless you.

      I desire to give My Peace to the world, but the world despises My Peace. To have My Peace is to surrender freely your will and to trust in Me completely. It is to be humble, little, meek, obedient children.

      But man is filled with pride! Yes, even spiritual pride. And this is such agony for My Sacred Heart, which is an ocean of Merciful Love for all who seek Me.

      The month you enter is the month of many great feasts. I desire all the world to prepare well for these feasts. I solemnly tell you that God shall allow signs of hope and mercy, as well as justice in this month. Many who have fallen away from Me will be converted. Yet pride will prevent so many, many of My children from being humble and contrite.

      O! How My Divine Mercy is for all the world. O! It is the Will of the Heavenly Father that Divine Mercy be poured out upon the world before His Justice strikes.

      Therefore, I solemnly tell My children: Be prepared! Prepare by means of weekly confession. Examine your conscience every day. Go to Holy Mass and receive Me, your Lord and God, and give to Me all reverence. I tell you these things out of Mercy, because I am Mercy. You must immerse yourself in the ocean of Divine Mercy, for only My Mercy will shield you from the Justice of the Father.

      The hour has come. I await the pleas of my little ones, obedient to My call, to begin the holy Order of Divine Mercy so that by means of this Order torrents of Mercy shall inundate the world. This is My Will, My Order, the fulfillment of the work I gave to My beloved daughter Faustina. Therefore, let all doubts cease, for this Order is not new, but the fulfillment of what began at the Creation of the world.

      Will you assist Me, your Lord and Savior in this work? Or shall you be the Judas who betrays Divine Mercy for pride and earthly gain? The hour is now! You cannot comprehend all that will come upon the earth. O! The weeping of My children shall be a true River of Sorrow. But the shield of Mercy will no longer hold back the Justice, for the hour will have come.

      Prepare yourself well! Be always in the state of Grace. Let My Name be upon your lips, for I Am King of Kings, and I Come!

      I give My Peace to you who lovingly accept it. Heed My words, for you are My children, the sheep of My flock. Trust Me and fear nothing, for I am with you.

Message Five-Hundred-two, June 2, 1994

(Imparted to the Hidden Flower by the Sacred and Merciful Heart of Jesus)

      Beloved Hidden Flower of My Mother's Immaculate Heart, I am with you.

      This month is dedicated to Me, your Lord and God. Prepare yourself well for I want to abide only in you and to speak to all of My children in intimate conversation. Celebrate My Sacrament of Love daily if you can. Call for Me. I will come. I love you.

      No longer despise Me. Do not think that I am far away. I am with you. Yes, even in the most difficult times. Call out to Me, willingly seek Me and humbly tell Me everything! I listen. I forgive - for I am Loving Mercy.

      The Hour of Great Mercy must come. It is the Father's Will. Do not impede it. Ask for it. I await your request.

      I love and bless you. Heed My request.

The retired Archbishop of Toledo Cardinal Marcelo Gonzalez Martin has always been there for the people of Spain, especially the poor

     We continue with this new series that debuted the beginning of the year, bringing you on a regular basis three times a week the Princes of the Church. Our fiftieth red-hat we feature, in alphabetical order is Cardinal Marcelo Gonzalez Martin, Archbishop emeritus of Toledo who received his red-hat from Pope Paul V I in the Consistory of March 5, 1973. For more on Cardinal Gonzalez Martin, click on COLLEGE OF CARDINALS COLLECTION

50.   Cardinal Marcelo Gonzalez Martin

      The Archbishop emeritus of Toledo, Spain is the retired 81 year-old Cardinal Marcelo Gonzalez Martin who was born in Villanubila, Spain on January 16, 1918 in the Archdiocese of Vallodolid where twenty-three years later he was ordained a priest after studying at the Seminary in his home town and the Pontifical University of Camiliar where he received his doctorate in Theology. After ordination his first assignments were as professor of Tehology at the Major Seminary of the Archdiocese as well as teaching Medicine and Law at the Spanish State university. He was so popular a professor that he soon found himself traveling around Spain giving talks and retreats, and it was during this time he founded an organization for construction of houses for the poor in Spain quite similar to Habitat in the United States.

      On December 31, 1960 Pope John XXIII named him Bishop of Astorga, a position he assumed on March 5, 1961 and held until being named Titular Archbishop of Case Mediane and Coadjutor of Barcelona on February 21, 1966 by Pope Paul VI. He became Archbishop of Barcelona on January 7, 1967 where he remained until December 3, 1971 when the Pope promoted him to Archbishop of Toledo, an office he held for fourteen years before being forced to retire because of age on June 23, 1995. On March 5, 1973 Pope Paul VI named him in his fourth Consistory for the cardinalate, bestowing on him the red-hat and the titular church of St. Augustine. Cardinal Gonzalez, along with fellow Spanish peer Cardinal Narciso Jubany Arnau are the ranking Spanish prelates and both retired, ineligible for participation in the Sacred Conclave. Cardinal Gonzalez maintains a home at Arco de Palacio 3, 45002 in Toledo today.

SIMPLY SHEEN: Want not, judge not!

     They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but the words of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen have been known to launch a thousand images in one's mind, one of the ways this late luminary did so much to evangelize the faith. Because of the urgency of the times and because few there are today who possess the wisdom, simplicity and insight than the late Archbishop who touched millions, we are bringing you daily gems from his writings. The good bishop makes it so simple that we have dubbed this daily series: "SIMPLY SHEEN".

" The way we judge others is very often the judgment which we pronounce upon ourselves. Whenever you find anyone who is hateful, censorious and bitter against those who lead religious lives, inquire not into his intellectual background; rather investigate his behavior."

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April 30 - May 2, 1999 volume 10, no. 85   DAILY CATHOLIC