Feast of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos C.SsR.

Happy Feast Day of Bl. Seelos Everyone. I thought you'd like to know a little more about this amazing priest, healer of people and animals and hopefully, soon to be canonized saint in the Catholic Church.

Blessed Francis S. Seelos, C.S.s.R. was born in Germany on January 11, 1819 and died on October 4, 1867 at the age of 48.

He was beatified on April 9, 2000 by Blessed John Paul II.
The following Decree for Obligatory/Optional Seelos Memorial in Dioceses of New Orleans Province is from the Seelos Center

In 2009, Most Reverend Alfred C. Hughes, Archbishop of New Orleans, received a decree from Archbishop Albert Malcolm Ranjith establishing the celebration of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos as an obligatory memorial in the Archdiocese of New Orleans and an optional memorial in each of the dioceses of the New Orleans Province.

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CONGREGATIO DE CULTU DIVINO

ET DISCIPLINA SACRAMENTORUM



Prot. 2014/03/L



ARCHIDIOECESIS NOVAE AURELIAE



Instante Excellentissimo Domino Alfredo Hughes, Archiepiscopo Novae Aureliae, litteris die 29 ianuarii 2009 datis, vigore facultatum huic Congregationi a Summo Pontifice BENEDICTO XVI tributarum, libenter concedimus ut celebratio Beati Francisci X. Seelos, presbyteri, in Calendarium proprium Archidioecesis Novae Aureliae inscribi valeat, die 5 mensis octobris, gradu memoriae quotannis peragenda.



Contrariis quibusiibet minime obstantibus.



Ex aedibus Congregationis de Cultu Divino et Disciplina Sacramentorum, die 31 mensis martii 2009.



+ ANTONIUS CARD. CAÑIZARES LLOVERA

Praefectus





(+ Albertus Malcolmus Ranjith)

Archiepiscopus a Secretis

Seelos' Top 10 Practical Guide to Holiness

1. Go to Mass with deepest devotion.

2. Spend a half hour to reflect upon your main failing & make resolutions to avoid it.

3. Do daily spiritual reading for at least 15 minutes, if a half hour is not possible.

4. Say the rosary every day.

5. Also daily, if at all possible, visit the Blessed Sacrament; and toward evening, meditate on the Passion of Christ for a half hour.

6. Conclude the day with evening prayer & an examination of conscience over all the faults & sins of the day.

7. Every month make a review of the month in confession.

8. Choose a special patron every month & imitate that patron in some special virtue.

9. Precede every great feast with a novena, that is, nine days of devotion.

10. Try to begin & end every activity with a “Hail Mary.”


Thirteen Bon Mots of Blessed Francis X. Seelos, C.Ss.R.

Selected from Fr. Michael Curley’s Cheerful Ascetic
By Joseph W Oppitz, C.SS.R.

Someday, I will become a second Francis Xavier.

Dear Mother, how I thank you for having taught us children a great devotion to the Mother of God. Such an inheritance from parents is worth more than gold or silver.

Today we will have no writing. The Blessed Mother has appeared to me and told me to become a missionary.

I was John Neumann’s subject, but was more like a son who needed help. In every respect, he was a remarkable father to me.

Baltimore is one of the loveliest and most beautiful cities in all of North America.

If these riots continue, I may even have the privilege of becoming a martyr — a wonderful way to go to heaven.

According to people I am a thorough saint. In reality, I am a thorough scoundrel.

If the Church should ever decide to celebrate the feast of a rude rascal, [Secretary of War] Stanton would easily qualify — even with an octave.

I love the work of the missions more than all other labors; it is a complete apostolic employment in the Lord's vineyard.

If the Americans were as expert in spiritual matters as they are in business affairs, all of them would be saints.

I have made the rounds of all the houses in the province. Only New Orleans yet remains. I have come here to pass the rest of my days and find a lasting resting place at Saint Mary's. I feel I have traveled enough. I shall never leave New Orleans.

So the doctor says I am to die! Oh, what pleasant news! How thankful I am! And to you, doctor, how much I have to return thanks for your kindness and attention to me!

I never thought it was so sweet to die in the Congregation. I now begin to know what happiness it is to live and die a Redemptorist. Oh, let us love our vocation and strive to persevere in it! Then everything will be all right with us.

Thirteen "bon mots" or simple sayings of Fr. Seelos, taken from an article published in Spiritus Patris--some about the spiritual life, some just comments about current affairs — all showing the simple humanity of our beloved Father Seelos.

Source

Bountiful God,
in Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos,
you have given your people
a model for those who labor joyfully
in your earthly kingdom.
May his smile dwell on those who find life burdensome.
In him, our eyes continually behold
the gentleness of Jesus Christ,
our Redeemer.

- by Byron Miller, C.Ss.R. Director of the Father Seelos Center.

Good News! Reba the Dog

From RA Husky:

God is great! Reba is home safe. Thank you for your prayers,

Stretch the Cat's Last Moments

Graciously shared by E.P. and Jim:

Stretch waited for Jim to come home after a week out of town last Friday. Jim and I picked her up from the vet ER Friday evening----where she was admitted a week before!


Stretch showed traces of her old feisty self when she demanded to be immediately taken out of her carrier when she was released by the vet tech. She ate her favorite Senior Friskies formula Pacific Salmon Dinner in Sauce the following day-----and loved the blow dryer primping she received after she got a quick bath wipe treatment!


Stretch passed away with her heart against mine. We will miss her dearly.

Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint of Animals and Prayers

"God looked at everything He had made, and He found it very good."

- Genesis 1:31

Mosaic at St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa. Photo by Esther

"Saint Francis of Assisi was named the patron saint of ecology in 1989 for good reason.  We might say that Francis saw with the eyes of God.  He saw that all of creation was good, very good.  Francis treasured each part of the created world that he viewed-from lofty Mt. Subasio where Assisi nestles to the tiniest worm creeping along the dusty road never his hometown.  Francis believed that ll creation was God's gift and was therefore to be treated as a treasure.  In 'The Canticle of the Creatures" Francis praises God for all creation-the sun and the moon, the stars and the heavens, the wind and air, water and fire, flowers and fruits and herbs.  Francis' heart overflowed with gratitude for all God's gifts.

Picture source

Francis was following Jesus who also treasured creation to such extent tht he used creation images as the basis for explaining spiritual truths to those who flocked to him.  He spoke of seeds and sheeps, figs and fields, pearls and plants, wheat and water.  He spoke of these elements of creation to bring people closer to God."

Picture source

Prayer for a Dying Pet

"Loving God, our beloved pet and companion, __________,
is on his/her final journey. We will miss ________ dearly.
We thank you for the gift that he/she has been to us.
Give us hope that, in your great kindness,
you may restore ___________ in your heavenly Kingdom
according to your wisdom,
which goes beyond our human understanding."

by Friar Jack Wintz, O.F.M

Picture source

A Pet Blessing Prayer

"Blessed are you, Lord God,
Maker of all living creatures.
On the fifth and sixth days of creation,
you called forth fish in the sea,
birds in the air and animals on the land.
You inspired St. Francis to call all animals
his brothers and sisters.
We ask you to bless these animals gathered about us.
By the power of your love,
enable these creatures—our sisters and brothers—to
live according to you plan.
May we always praise you for your beauty in creation.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen."

by Friar Jack Wintz, O.F.M

Picture source

St. Francis and the Birds

St. Francis has often been linked with birds and other creatures. Many of us are well acquainted with the statue of St. Francis on the birdbath and with the illustration of birds flying around the saint's head or standing on his shoulders. Such images inspire us to love the whole family of creation. We may also be familiar with St. Francis' Canticle of Brother Sun, in which Francis praises God through "Brother Sun" and "Sister Moon," through "Brother Wind" and "Sister Water," through "Brother Fire" and "Our Sister Mother Earth" and her "various fruits with colored flowers and herbs."

St. Francis loved the larks that flew so gracefully through the sky over Assisi, his hometown. Perhaps you have also heard stories of this brown-robed friar preaching to the birds, releasing Brother Rabbit from a trap or letting Sister Raven serve as his "alarm clock" to awaken him for early-morning prayer.

There are many of us human beings, moreover, who know what it's like to have, as companions, a beloved dog, cat, rabbit, gerbil, parrot or canary. There are others who may not have a pet, but who enjoy walking through the woods or along the seacoast where there are all kinds of creatures of land, air and sea to admire and to contemplate.

"Loving Creator, bless all your creatures—
human and non-human alike.
Instill in us a spirit like that of St. Francis
so that we, too, may show love, respect and care
to the whole family of creation. Amen."

Canticle of the Sun by Marty Haugen


Sources:Thanks to Mary Jane for sharing Father Jack's e-newsletter with me.

Father Jack's Espirations

To Live as Francis Lived

Update on Better Talk Now the Horse

From our friend Lou Ann: Found a message in my inbox today telling me that Better Talk Now, the thoroughbred race horse, who had been very ill and in critical condition at UPenn's New Bolton Center (equine hospital) was doing much better, and was able to be discharged home!

Special thanks to all here at your most special site for all the prayers and positive thoughts!

Update on Kia the Cat

From Dianne:

Update On Kia:
Tomorrow is the big day> Kia will be going home from the vet.
She will have her checkup on her teeth surgery and get vaccinate.
She is doing so much better. Tomorrow we will find out her long term
prognosis. I will let you know ok. Thank you all who have prayed for her
and cont. to pray for her. she is such a fighter and has so much love to give..She just wants to be loved. She will not get to come back to my house
as I'm not suppose to have any kittys. I"m very sad and it breaks my heart
I'm so thankful for my friend Diana, She is going to go to her home.
She is my hero. I thank the lord for her..
God bless you all. May the lord put his arms around all our sick and lost pets and heal them all in his name Amen

Urgent Prayer Request for Mocha the Dog

From Marguerite:

I found your site and wanted to request a prayer for my beloved Mocha.

She is very ill and although the prognosis isn't good. I always have hope and faith that she'll recover.

She has cancer and she is getting worse.

If you would be so kind so say a prayer for her, so that she may get better.

I would greatly appreciated it.

Thank you,

Another email from Marguerite:

Mocha is a 10 1/2 yr old Chocolate Lab. The heart of an angel. She is the sweetest and kindest dog, you can ever imagine.

Thank you so much for praying for my baby girl.

Good News - Buddy the Dog

From Wendy:

Nothing but great news. Buddy wandered home on Saturday, eight days after he went missing. Saturday morning there was snow on the ground and we all we very upset and worried. We searched all morning and around 1 p.m. Buddy wandered back home again on his own. He is skinny and tired but will be fine.

Thank you so much for your prayers and for posting Buddy on your website. I have no doubt that all the prayers lead Buddy back home.

Your site and the people who responded to our plea, brought me so much comfort and hope.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Prayer Request for Rocky the Cat

"Rocky"

From Brian and Katie:

I found your wonderful website this afternoon while searching for 'prayers for lost pets'.

Many great success stories out there!

We have been missing our little Orange Tabby, Rocky, since the morning of Sept 21st. We have taken days off of work and even cancelled the family vacation to stay home and look for him.

We've posted flyers at local businesses and in over 200 in mailboxes, in our neighborhood and others.

Please keep Rocky in your prayers or start a prayer chain for him to return home safe, soon.

I'll include a photo or two so folks can see him on the site, if you don't mind.

Thank you very much for your help, and keep up the great work!

Respectfully,

Sad News - Stretch the Cat

Stretch (aka Pretty Girl) the cat

March 1991 - October 2011

I received the above photo from Jim. Apparently, Stretch has died. Please keep Jim and his family in your prayers. Thank you for praying!

Stretch the Cat

Prayer Request for Stachie the Cat

From Maria:

... our 12 year old cat Stachie, that we've had since he was a kitten, has been missing since 9/18. We miss him very much and worry about his safety. Please pray for his safe return.

Prayer Request for Joey the Cat

"Joey"

From Carla:

My little Joey is missing. He has been missing since Friday, Sept 30. He is complete white fixed male cat. Please pray for his return to his loving family.

Message for those with Prayer Request

I am off the computer on Sundays. If you have a prayer request, please leave a comment and/or email me privately. I will post them as soon as possible on Monday. BUT please know our prayer warriors will be praying for ALL the pets in need.

God bless,
Esther

Prayer Request for Sterling the Missing Therapy Cat

From Elizabeth: It will soon be three months, since Sterling went missing. He was a gift that literally walked into my house. Even as a kitten, I knew that he was special and soon took him to the nursing home where I work. He brought so many smiles and much comfort to those who no longer are able to have pets. Even people who did not "like cats" fell in love with him and he in turn liked his "work". God has provided me with another Therapy cat and I am grateful. Still, I miss Sterling everyday and the "light" and love of his gentle spirit. I have done everything I can to find him: I ask for prayers for our reunion. I do not feel that our healing work is done and pray for the miracle of his safe return home. Thanks and blessings,

Today's Update: Stretch the Cat

From Jim:

We brought our feline daughter home tonight! Thank you prayer warriors!


First thing she did was "demand" that she be taken out of her carrier when she was released to us by Kate, the tech. (That's a good sign---if you knew Stretch!)


Once home, she attempted to "slide" out of her carrier. We were afraid being kept in the ER cage for a week without movement may have caused her legs to atrophy. We guided her while she pushed herself up with her front legs and propped up her hind legs while she lingered on the oriental rug in the basement.


Hopefully the medications prescribed will give her strength back. Please continue to keep our feline daughter Stretch in your prayers. This will be a steep uphill climb, but with your support and prayers. we will overcome all difficulties.


From our family to yours, we are forever grateful for everyone's generous support.

(Stretch's Family)