|
|
Yesterday we celebrated the feast of our founder Don Bosco. Hence a few words on him I believe would be in order.
One of the characteristics that stands out about Don Bosco is his sense of wit, wisdom and simplicity; a true genius with a practical sense.
"Cheerfulness, work and piety," "health, study and holiness," "Bread, work and Paradise," "Hi! Save Yourself!" these were slogans he used to motivate his boys: "Reason, Religion and Kindness," were the foundation of his educational system. These few phrases were very simple but they had a profound meaning.
Don Bosco was not timid and "he was not meek by nature. A failure of his inner struggle in the practice of patience is described by him in the Memoirs he left to his salesians.
From the time he was a boy he dreamed of dedicating his life to the service of youth and this motivated him to study. 'Perhaps, one day I might become a priest!' But his brother Anthony did not like the idea. One day when he returned home from work he saw John at the table reading and studying. John not only did his fair share in the fields but he also took a few moments of quiet reading and studying at the kitchen table. This is what happened one day as he himself narrates it: 'Despite all my work and good will, Anthony still was not happy. One day he announced very decisively, first to my mother and then to my brother Joseph, that he could stand it no more. "I've had it up to here," he blustered. "I've had my fill of this grammar business. Look at me," he said, "I've grown big and strong without ever setting eyes on such books."'
"That's nonsense!" Carried away by blind rage, I retorted in a way I should not have: "Our donkey is bigger and stronger than you are, and he never went to school either. Do you want to be like him?" This so angered him that only speed saved me from a volley of blows and smacks." (From the Memoirs of the Oratory by Don Bosco pg. 41-42). Fr. Eugene Ceria notes that it was a "precious confession."
At the school of his mother, Mamma Margaret John Bosco learned love of God and neighbor, courage and hard work...and many other beautiful things not least of which was a typical sense of humor that was both intelligent and witty.
The "woman with a majestic bearing" who appeared to him in the dream at the age of nine said: "Make yourself humble, strong and robust!"
He was characteristically an extrovert but he needed to be humble. He soon learned its value, but then, a sense of serene humor would draw anyone to him.
Let us like Don Bosco work on being humble, witty, wise and loving.
Wishing you a happy feast of St. John Bosco.
God Bless you.
In Mary Help of Christians,
I remain,
Fr. Jim McKenna SDB
Director
|
|
|
February 1:
Our Regulations say: Each year, for the deceased confreres every priest will say Mass on the day following the liturgical solemnity of Don Bosco. (Reg:76.4).
IS LIFE WORTH LIVING?
The lives of great men drive home a point very well.
Success is a matter of "Daring and Hoping."
President Abraham Lincoln's rise to prominence and fame defies all romantic notions of success; Here is the record of his career;
1831 - Failed in business.
1832 - Defeated for legislature.
1833 - Failed again in business.
1934 - Elected to Legislature.
1835 - Sweet - heart died.
1836 - Had nervous breakdown.
1838 - Defeated for speaker.
1840 - Defeated for elector.
1843 - Defeated for Congress.
1846 - Elected for Congress.
1848 - Defeated for Congress.
1855 - Defeated for Senate.
1856 - Defeated for Vice - President.
1858 - Defeated for Senate.
1860 - Elected 16th President of the United States
It is never too late. As long as there is life, there is a way. All questions are asked so that answers may be found. The obstacles are for overcoming. One can never say die.
|
|
 When did Don Bosco pray?
On this feast day of Don Bosco, we look into the Spirituality of Don Bosco as given to us by the Congregation. It is a God given opportunity to spend time looking deeply into and understanding the Spirituality of Our Father & Founder vis-à-vis our own spirituality.
The question often asked was: "When did Don Bosco pray?" When you think about it, the question implies that Don Bosco was not seen as someone who dedicated himself explicitly to long hours of prayer as saints traditionally did. For instance, a contemporary of his, Leonard Murialdo, spent four hours at daily Mass, between prayerful preparation, celebration and thanksgiving. St. John Bosco's biographer, Eugene Ceria, wrote: "Don Bosco did not spend a long time in meditation, as did other saints." The fact that the Church officially canonized Don Bosco, and since the Church does not recognize holiness without prayer, the question that arises is: "How did Don Bosco pray?" One of those who knew him well was Fr. Barberis, he wrote: "It could be said that Don Bosco never really stopped praying. I can honestly say that I have seen him hundreds of times deep in prayer going up and down stairs. I also noticed how he always prayed when traveling, whenever he was not proof-reading documents." Someone who lived with Don Bosco for 35 years was Bro. Peter Enria. He wrote: "Prayer for Don Bosco was an absolute and indispensable must. He believed prayer obtained everything and triumphed over everything. It was like water to a fish, air to a bird, a gushing spring to a deer; it was as warmth to the body or a weapon to the soldier." Fr. Eugene Ceria pointed out something similar when he wrote: "In Don Bosco the spirit of prayer was like a martial discipline to a good captain, observations to an artist or scientist. It was the habitual disposition of his soul; he prayed with ease, constancy and love." Interestingly enough, Don Bosco referred to his work for young people as an "Oratory". This he did in order to indicate that his work was founded on prayer and to emphasize that prayer was the only force in which we should put our trust. A true educator is measured by his ability to create an atmosphere that can transform students from within. Don Bosco achieved this at his Oratory in Valdocco, so much so that the whole ethos of the place reflected his own way of living and praying. Don Bosco prayed as an apostle and an educator - essentially with a view to action. He prayed before, during and after all activities. Prayer was an essential and necessary factor in all his initiatives. He was a realist and aimed at simplicity and substance. Even as a founder he did not feel the need to impose on his disciples further community practices than what was normal for good Christians." For Don Bosco, then, work and prayer were only two aspects of the same love.
May this feast help us deepen our love for Don Bosco and his spirituality, drawing us closer to God, Mary Help of Christians, the Madonna of Don Bosco and Don Bosco himself. |
|
|
 Laughter the best medicine
These are from a book called 'Disorder in the American Courts' and are things people actually said in court, word for word, taken down and now published by court reporters that had the torment of staying calm while these exchanges were actually taking place.
____________________
ATTORNEY: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And in what ways does it affect your memory?
WITNESS: I forget.
ATTORNEY: You forget? Can you give us an example of something you forgot?
____________________
ATTORNEY: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning?
WITNESS: Did you actually pass the bar exam?
_____________________
ATTORNEY: The youngest son, the twenty-year-old, how old is he?
WITNESS: He's twenty, much like your IQ.
_____________________
ATTORNEY: She had three children, right?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: How many were boys?
WITNESS: None.
ATTORNEY: Were there any girls?
W ITNESS : Your Honor, I think I need a different attorney. Can I get a new attorney?
_____________________
ATTORNEY: How was your first marriage terminated?
WITNESS: By death.
ATTORNEY: And by whose death was it terminated?
WITNESS: Take a guess.
|
|
 The 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.
Thank you Mother for the all the blessings on my family,and for keeping my parents and my family in good health,and for blessing me with a job,the 3 Hail Marys have always be my strength in my most difficult times. A Devotee, NJ
Our sincere thanks to Mary Help of Christians and Don Bosco for a successful by-pass operation of Mr. John Godwin. We continue to say the three hail Marys daily.
Mr. & Mrs. Godwin, NY
My sincere thanks to Mary Help of Christians, through the recitation of the three Hail Marys my daughter and son-in-law have finally paid of their home and for all the other favors received. T. Estevez, CT
| |
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
Marian Shrine
174 Filors Lane, Stony Point, NY 10980 (845) 947-2200
|
|
|
|
|
