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June 12 is the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
It was in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, in the fervent atmosphere of the Benedictine or Cistercian monasateries, we find indications of devotions to the Sacred Heart. From the 13th to 16th centuries, although the devotion to the Sacred Heart continued to spread, it remained an individual or private devotion. It was on August 31, 1670, in the Grand Seminary of Rennes, that the Feast of the Sacred Heart became public through the actions of Blessed Jean Eudes.
During this time frame, our Lord chose to reveal the desires of his Heart to Margaret Mary Alocoque (1647-1690), confiding to her the task of imparting new life to the devotion. In the century that followed, many requests were made to Rome to officially recognize the Feast of the Sacred Heart. It was in 1765, at the request of the Queen of France that Rome made it a quasi feast and in 1856 at the petition of the French Bishops that Pope Pius IX extended the Feast to the Universal church.
Today the devotion to the Sacred Heart is centered around the heart of Jesus as the emblem of divine love. Divine love is the highest of the three loves: divine love, spiritual love, physical love. Our Lord loves us in so many ways. If our gratitude is sincere, we have to promise him that we will love one another as he loved us.
The Sacred Heart is the patron of our formation houses. Let us pray very specially for our men in formation that they may learn to love like Christ loves.
God Bless you!
In Mary Help of Christians,
I remain,
Fr. Jim McKenna SDB
Director
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Think about this!
When I'll be dead....., Your tears will flow,.. But I won 't know... Cry for me now instead ! you will send flowers,.. But I won't see... Send them now instead ! you'll say words of praise,.. But I won't hear.. Praise me now instead ! you'll forget my faults,.. But I won't know... Forget them now, instead ! you'll miss me then,... But I won't feel... Miss me now, instead you'll wish... you could have spent more time with me,... Spend it now instead !!
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Blessed Francis Kesy and Companions- June 12
On June 12th we keep the memory of Blessed Francis Kesy (born in Berlin) and his four companions (Blesseds Edward Kazmierski, Czeslaw Jozwiak, Edward Klinik and Jarogniew Wojciechowski, born in Poland). They were born around the years 1919 to 1922. These five attended the Don Bosco oratory in Poznan, Poland and were involved in animating their companions. They were bound together in bonds of friendship, common interests and doing social projects. They came from good Christian families. Life in the oratory and its programs stimulated generosity towards God, human maturity, prayer and apostolic commitment. Their friendship which started at the oratory continued till death, providing them with mutual support in their martyrdom. They were arrested by the Gestapo almost simultaneously in 1940 and put in prison. On August 1, 1942, the final sentence was pronounced; they were condemned to death for 'betraying the state'. They suffered martyrdom on the same day - August 24, 1942 at Dresden and were beheaded by an axe. They were beatified on June 13, 1999 by Pope John Paul II in Warsaw along with 108 Polish martyrs. Before their death they were permitted to write letters home. Each of their letters expresses sentiments of forgiveness to those whom they may have hurt or offended. They also express feelings of happiness at being faithful to the teachings of the church and living a virtuous life. What sustained them in their imprisonment and sufferings were - strong devotion to Mary Help of Christians and the Eucharist. None of them were afraid to be executed. One of them even wrote: "What joy it is to leave this world united with Christ". Another wrote: "How can I not be happy to be going to the Lord and to his most holy Mother fortified by the body of Christ?" Their letters contain short phrases which reveal their sufferings in the prison and their noble dispositions. "God has given us the cross, he also gives us the strength to bear it. God alone knows how much we suffer." "I thank God I was born in the catholic faith. It gives me strength to overcome everything." "Do not cry we are happy." "Prayer was our only help during days and nights." They embraced death in witness to the faith. They were strengthened to follow the way of the cross by the Eucharist and devotion to Mary. They were boys at the oratory and were inspired by high ideals and commitment of the faith. They happily gave up their lives in defense of the faith. May we also have a faith that is pure and constant in the trials of life and share this faith with the youngsters in our ministry.
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 Laughter the best medicine
Wife's Diary: Tonight, I thought my husband was acting weird. We had made plans to meet at a nice restaurant for dinner. I was shopping with my friends all day long, so I thought he was upset at the fact that I was a bit late, but he made no comment on it. Conversation wasn't flowing, so I suggested that we go somewhere quiet so we could talk. He agreed, but he didn't say much. I asked him what was wrong; He said, 'Nothing.' I asked him if it was my fault that he was upset. He said he wasn't upset, that it had nothing to do with me, and not to worry about it. On the way home, I told him that I loved him. He smiled slightly, and kept driving. I can't explain his behavior. I don't know why he didn't say, 'I love you , too.' When we got home, I felt as if I had lost him completely, as if he wanted nothing to do with me anymore. He just sat there quietly, and watched TV. He continued to seem distant and absent. Finally, with silence all around us, I decided to go to bed. About 15 minutes later, he came to bed. But I still felt that he was distracted, and his thoughts were somewhere else. He fell asleep; I cried. I don't know what to do. I'm almost sure that his thoughts are with someone else. My life is a disaster. Husband's Diary: Bike won't start. Don't know what's wrong._________________________________________________ Wife: I lost my keys again ! Husband : It's in your jeans. Wife: Don't drag my family into this...
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Teacher: How old is your father? Kid: He is 6 years. Teacher: What? How is this possible? Kid: He became father only when I was born.
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 Devotion of the Three Hail Marys
The devotion of the THREE HAIL MARYS is a very simple yet most efficacious devotion.
Everyday, recite Three Hail Marys, adding the invocation: "O Mary, My Mother, keep me from mortal sin." Many people recite the Three Hail Marys as part of their morning and night prayers. To practice this devotion in time of danger, stress, special need or temptation, is a sure means to obtain Our Lady's help.
My sincere thanks to Our Lord Jesus, Mother Mary, Don Bosco and Dominic Savio for granting my prayer in helping my nephew to secure a change of job in the company of his preference and many other favors received through the recitation of the 3 Hail Marys. Please continue to shower your blessings on our family. Margarida Faria, PA I am most grateful to Our Lady for all the graces and favors received by me and my family. A. Dunn, FL Dear Mother Mary and St. Dominic Savio my sincere thanks for the gift of a baby girl: Sarah Grace. Nazario and Adelina, NY My sincere thanks to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and Mary Help of Christians for all that has been given to me and done for me. M. Dodd, NY | |
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In Closing
Dear devotees of Our Lady and Don Bosco, If you have received a miracle through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother, we would like to hear from you. Email us at MaryShrine@aol.com. Bookstore hours: Monday - Saturday - 10 am to 5 pm, Sundays: 12 - 4 pm Weekday Masses: 12 noon. Confessions on weekdays begin at 11.30 am. Sunday Masses: 11 am and 12.30 pm Other activities: Day Retreats, Weekend retreats, Don Bosco Summer Camp, Eucharistic Adoration, Friday night Lenten Dinners, 50/50 raffle, 350 club, Rosary Madonna Statue. Rent Lomagno Hall, Rent our Banquet Hall. MEMORIES Remember a Loved One: Engrave plaques on Wall of Memories, adopt a Tree, Engrave blocks on Walk of Honor, All Souls, All year Candle lighting, Holiday (Christmas and Easter), Flowers, Schedule a Mass, Bell Chimes. MASS INTENTIONS To offer a mass intention, please write to Fr. Jim McKenna SDB 174 Filors Lane, Stony Point, NY 10980 mckennasdb@yahoo.com.
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Our ministry is only possible with your help.
Visit our website: www.marianshrine.org to donate.
Marian Shrine
174 Filors Lane, Stony Point, NY 10980
www.marianshrine.org
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