Feast of Saint Monica, Mother of Saint Augustine

The circumstances of St. Monica’s life could have made her a nagging wife, a bitter daughter-in-law and a despairing parent, yet she did not give way to any of these temptations. Although she was a Christian, her parents gave her in marriage to a pagan, Patricius, who lived in her hometown of Tagaste in North Africa. Patricius had some redeeming features, but he had a violent temper and was licentious. Monica also had to bear with a cantankerous mother-in-law who lived in her home. Patricius criticized his wife because of her charity and piety, but always respected her. Monica’s prayers and example finally won her husband and mother-in-law to Christianity. Her husband died in 371, one year after his baptism.

Monica had at least three children who survived infancy. The oldest, Augustine, is the most famous. At the time of his father’s death, Augustine was 17 and a rhetoric student in Carthage. Monica was distressed to learn that her son had accepted the Manichean heresy and was living an immoral life. For a while, she refused to let him eat or sleep in her house. Then one night she had a vision that assured her Augustine would return to the faith. From that time on she stayed close to her son, praying and fasting for him. In fact, she often stayed much closer than Augustine wanted.

When he was 29, Augustine decided to go to Rome to teach rhetoric. Monica was determined to go along. One night he told his mother that he was going to the dock to say goodbye to a friend. Instead, he set sail for Rome. Monica was heartbroken when she learned of Augustine’s trick, but she still followed him. She arrived in Rome only to find that he had left for Milan. Although travel was difficult, Monica pursued him to Milan. In Milan, Augustine came under the influence of the bishop, St. Ambrose, who also became Monica’s spiritual director. She accepted his advice in everything and had the humility to give up some practices that had become second nature to her (see Quote, below). Monica became a leader of the devout women in Milan as she had been in Tagaste.

She continued her prayers for Augustine during his years of instruction. At Easter, 387, St. Ambrose baptized Augustine and several of his friends. Soon after, his party left for Africa. Although no one else was aware of it, Monica knew her life was near the end. She told Augustine, “Son, nothing in this world now affords me delight. I do not know what there is now left for me to do or why I am still here, all my hopes in this world being now fulfilled.” She became ill shortly after and suffered severely for nine days before her death.

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/Saint.aspx?id=1120

Spanish Teresian Lectures on Psychology

Teresian Association (TA) Bacolod celebrated the feast of their founder, Saint Pedro Poveda, on July 28, 2009. As part of their celebration, they facilitated a series of lectures in their residence at Poveda House, 17th Street Lacson, Bacolod City last August 9 and 10. TA members, collaborators, friends and a member of Little Way Group from Kabankalan Diocese participated in the lectures.

Maria Rosa Elosua, a Teresian from Spain, generously shared her invaluable time and expertise in the field of education and psychology. She runs the Department of Basic Psychology at the Universidad de Educacion a Distancia in Spain and a prominent figure in the fields of Psychological Research in Europe. Rosa, as she is fondly called in the association, shared some important aspects of her researches on Cognitive Psychology especially on thinking, comprehension and working memory.

Discussions followed and snacks were served. The talk concluded with the thought that we are intelligent human beings and our knowledge should be shared and applied for the good of the community through the education of our children.

News from the South

Mission directors and collaborators gathered at Elijah Center in Tagbilaran City, Bohol last August 3 - , 2009 for their annual convention with the theme: “Let the Children Come to Me.”

The convention was presided by Fr. Socrates C. Mesiona, MSP the newly appointed National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in the Philippines (see http://www.msp.org.ph/news.do?id=4157).

Sixteen mission directors from the different dioceses in the Philippines participated in the said convention. Kabankalan diocese was represented by Fr. Jose Rembert Rivera, mission director and Fr. Jose Severino Nacional III.

Mother of Life also launched the module on Holy Childhood during the convention.

New Assignments!

The following are the parishes whcih have newly installed parish priests!

• Parish of Binalbagan - Fr. Joel Rubin
• Parish of Aguisan - Fr. Carlos Ybesate
• Chaplaincy of Oringao - Fr. Eryl Agus
• Chaplaincy of Binicuil - Fr. Jose Maria Cadungon
• Parish of La Castellana - Fr. Richard Lachica (Associate parish priest)

Let us fervently pray for our priests:

Most gracious Heavenly Father, We thank you for our faithful priests and bishops, whose spiritual fatherhood and example of fidelity, self-sacrifice, and devotion is so vital to the faith of your people.

May our spiritual fathers be guided by the examples of Saints Peter and Paul, all the Apostles and their saintly successors. Give them valiant faith in the face of confusion and conflict, hope in time of trouble and sorrow, and steadfast love for you, for their families, and for all your people throughout the world. May the light of your Truth shine through their lives and their good works.

Assist all spiritual fathers, that through your Grace they may steadily grow in holiness and in knowledge and understanding of your Truth. May they generously impart this knowledge to those who rely on them.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

(http://www.wf-f.org/Priests-prayer.html)

Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney Sunday (August 2)

A man with vision overcomes obstacles and performs deeds that seem impossible. John Vianney was a man with vision: He wanted to become a priest. But he had to overcome his meager formal schooling, which inadequately prepared him for seminary studies.

His failure to comprehend Latin lectures forced him to discontinue. But his vision of being a priest urged him to seek private tutoring. After a lengthy battle with the books, John was ordained.

Situations calling for “impossible” deeds followed him everywhere. As pastor of the parish at Ars, John encountered people who were indifferent and quite comfortable with their style of living. His vision led him through severe fasts and short nights of sleep. (Some devils can only be cast out by prayer and fasting.)

With Catherine Lassagne and Benedicta Lardet, he established La Providence, a home for girls. Only a man of vision could have such trust that God would provide for the spiritual and material needs of all those who came to make La Providence their home. His work as a confessor is John Vianney’s most remarkable accomplishment. In the winter months he was to spend 11 to 12 hours daily reconciling people with God. In the summer months this time was increased to 16 hours. Unless a man was dedicated to his vision of a priestly vocation, he could not have endured this giving of self day after day.

Many people look forward to retirement and taking it easy, doing the things they always wanted to do but never had the time. But John Vianney had no thoughts of retirement. As his fame spread, more hours were consumed in serving God’s people. Even the few hours he would allow himself for sleep were disturbed frequently by the devil.

Who, but a man with vision, could keep going with ever-increasing strength? In 1929, Pope Pius XI named him the patron of parish priests worldwide.

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintofDay/default.asp?id=1097