Apostle’s Scroll

This new devotional will provide you with bits of wisdom in honor of your birth Apostle. For future posts from this article, see link: Apostle’s Scroll

Timothy and Titus (January)

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Timothy 5:8)

Matthias (February)

then he must confess his sin that he has committed and must make full reparation, add one fifth to it, and give it to whomever he wronged. (Numbers 5:7)

Epaphroditus (March)

 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. (Romans 1:16)

Mark (April)

And saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)

 Philip and James (May)

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5)

Peter and Paul (June)

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)

Thomas and James (July)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

Bartholomew (August)

Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil. (Matthew 5:37)

Matthew (September)

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 6:1)

Simon and Jude (October)

And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”  (Matthew 21:22)

Andrew (November)

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”  (John 16:33)

John (December)

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. (1 John 4:16)

May God bless you through the intercession of His holy apostles, especially the one watching over you!

Revised Jerome Birthstone List

Research shows that the birthstone list has its origins in the Zodiac and astrology, composed by Josephus.  Saint Jerome is reported to have offered a Christian version of the list based on the stones of New Jerusalem and the 12 Apostles.  Unfortunately we do not have a copy of that list today, and it is possible that that list was related to the signs of the Zodiac as well.  I’ve composed this new zodiac-free list based on St. Jerome’s ideas about the New Jerusalem stones and the 12 Apostles, using their feast days and matching each of them to one of the New Jerusalem stones and a virtue we can learn from their life.  Since some of the Apostles share a month, I filled in the blanks with Apostle-like saints who were crucial in the formation of the Church and additional gemstones to represent them.  You can wear your new birthstone to honor your birth Apostle and pray to master his virtues.

January  —  Timothy and Titus  —  topaz —  responsibility
February  —  Matthias  —  jasper  —  hope
March  —  Epaphroditus —  sapphire —  charity
April  —  Mark  — carnelian —  repentance
May  —  Philip and James the less  — chalcedony/agate  —  wisdom
June  —  Peter and Paul  —  emerald —  evangelization
July  —  Thomas and James the greater  —  sardonyx —  courage
August  —  Bartholomew  —  beryl/aquamarine  —  honesty
September  —  Matthew  —  chrysolite/peridot  —  devotion to Scripture
October  —  Simon and Jude  — chrysoprase  —  faith
November Andrew  —  hyacinth: (jacinth/zircon)(ligure/amber)  —  endurance
December  —  John  —  amethyst  —  love

Black Belongs 2 God

Join the movement!

#BB2G #BlackBelongs2God

The Creed of St. Cecilia

As St. Cecilia lay dying, after giving her life for the Gospel, she made one last proclamation of faith. Outstretching her middle, index and thumb fingers, she declared her belief in the three Persons of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Folding down her ring and little fingers, she gave testimony to the hypostatic union of Jesus Christ’s Divine and Human natures. This moment is captured and preserved through the life-size image of her that tops her tomb in Rome today.

The Catholic Church is indeed a Church of trend setters. Whether you’re looking for an alternative hand gesture for your favorite rock concert, or assigning a signature move to a Christian superhero in your story, you can give thanks to God for this little bit of inspiration from the very special St. Cecilia. Thank you God!

To read St. Cecilia’s story, click here.

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Words to Live By

Enjoy yourself as much as you like – if only you keep from sin.
–Saint John Bosco

The Hero’s Song

In the Land of the Free I will rise.  Even though the darkness will fall, I am radioactive  and will prove I’m all right with my elastic heart. The only easy day was yesterday but you will remember me for centuries. I’m at war with the world because I’m a warrior inside. Even when my patience is waning, I’m  not gonna die because this will be the labor of my love that gives me my place in the hall of fame. I’m unstoppable, invincible, and I’m happy because I’ve got a Hero living in me. My Kung-Fu fighting is strong and I will hold on. I’m not sorry to be still. I’m a larger than life believer and I’m on fire to save my soul at any cost. This aint no place for no hero to get sucked into a supermassive black hole, because I am among immortals. I will be the greatest because it is in my very DNA. I don’t want to waste a moment.

Ven. Archbishop Sheen’s Spiritual Adoption of an Unborn Child

These prayers are said daily for nine months.  God will not refuse them!

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I love you very much. I beg you to spare the life of the unborn baby that I have spiritually adopted who is in danger of abortion. Amen.

The name I wish to give my baby is ______.

Jesus, may Your peace and Your love embrace the hearts, minds, and souls of the family, friends, and loved ones who encourage this abortion and lead  them all to Your Sacred and Eucharistic Heart. Amen.

Calling All Spiritual Warriors!

A couple of extreme traditionalists have been criticizing and persecuting devotion to Jesus’ Divine Mercy. How many likes of reparation can we get for Our Lord? Praised be Jesus’ mercy! Let’s start a spiritual bouquet for the conversion of these souls and the comfort and guidance of those being persecuted in the comment section below.

How to Save a Country According to St. Faustina

Source: How to Save a Country According to St. Faustina

Perpetual Rosary For America

Source: Perpetual Rosary For America

This post is dedicated to St. Isaac Jogues.