- Hebrews 4:15-16 -
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our
weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we
are - yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with
confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our
time of need.
___________________________________________________________
You have a God who knows all your weaknesses and needs. He walked in your
shoes. He knows it's hard! He delights to show you mercy and give you
grace.
He has compassion on you and sees your heart. Your need is not looked down
on by him. You are his beloved child.
February 26th - Saint Paula of St. Joseph of Calasanz
Born October 11,1799 near Barcelona, Spain
Died February 26,1889 at Olesa de Montserrat of natural causes
Beatified April 18,1993
Canonized November 25, 2001
Grew up in a large and pious family in a Spanish fi****ng village. When
Paula's father died she was only 10 years old. She helped her mother to
raise the family,working as a lace-maker and seamstress, and expended
herself to help the other children of the parish as well. Paula persued
the
vocation of a single lay woman, privately devoted to God, for many years
of
her adult life. At the age of thirty, with the help of a friend, she
opened
a school for girls in Gerona, Spain. Her ideal was to provide not only a
good education but a strong moral foundation as well. The school
prospered,
and she found herself able to found a women's college in 1842 and another
school in 1846. She then entered religious life by founding the Daughters
of
Mary (Pious School Sisters) and taking at that time the name Paula of
Saint
Joseph of Calasanz. The religious congregation was to lead and staff the
schools of her founding.
St Paula had a vision of hope and love for the children she served, and
led
her daughters forward under the motto "Piety and Letters" the slogan of St
Joseph of Calasanz. Her vision of hope and possibility for women and all
children is as vibrant and im****tant today as it was when she first
founded
her congregation. Today there are more than 800 Sisters of the Pious
Schools, teaching on four continents. The 112 communities of the order
educate over 30,000 students, in 19 nations.
Additional Information http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintp57.htm
More:
February 26th - St. Paula of Saint Joseph of Calasanz
(Also known as Paula Montal Fornes; Paula Montal; Paola Montal; Paola
Montal
Forne)
1788-1889
The girl from Barcelona, Spain, who founded the Daughters of Mary (Pious
School Sisters) now spread to four continents.
Daughter of Ramon and Vicenta Fornes Montal. Raised in a large and pious
family in a small seaside village. Her father died when Paula was 10 years
old. She worked as a seamstress and lace-maker, and helped raise her
siblings, then helped in her parish with other children.
At age thirty, still single and devoting herself privately to God, she and
her friend Inez Busquets opened a school in Gerona to provide a good
education mixed with spiritual guidance. The school was such a success
that
she was able to found a college in May 1842, and another school in 1846.
To
staff and manage the schools, she founded the Daughters of Mary (Pious
School Sisters) on 2 February 1847, and took the name Paula of Saint
Joseph
of Calasanz. Paula served as its leader, and they received papal approval
from Blessed Pope Pius IX in 1860. These schools have now spread to four
continents.
Born 11 October 1799 at Arenys de Mar, near Barcelona, Spain
Died 26 February 1889 at Olesa de Montserrat of natural causes
Beatified 18 April 1993 by Pope John Paul II at Rome
Canonized 25 November 2001 by Pope John Paul II
Saint Quote:
"To fast is not a natural cause of sadness except for those who are yet
too
feebly disposed; for those who desire to contemplate wisdom, fasting is a
delight. As long as the disciples were weak, it was wiser to wait until
they
became stronger. This shows that it was not an invitation to gluttony but
a
recognition of their weakness."
-St. John Chrysostom (Doctor, 347-407) - "An Aquinas Reader",
Bible Quotes:
"But in all things let us exhibit ourselves as the ministers of God, in
much
patience, in tribulation, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in
prisons, in seditions, in labours, in watchings, in fastings" - 2
Corinthians 6:4-5
"And Jesus said to them: Can the children of the bridegroom mourn, as long
as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the
bridegroom
shall be taken away from them, and then they shall fast" - Matt 9:15
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A prayer hymn in honor of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, Ave Maris Stella:
Hail thou star of the sea,
God's own mother blest,
Ever sinless Virgin,
Gate of heavenly rest.
Oh! by Gabriel's Ave,
Uttered long ago,
Eva's name reversing
'Stablish peace below.
Break the captive's fetters,
Light on blindness pour;
All our ills expelling,
Every bliss implore.
Show thyself a Mother;
May the Word divine,
Born for us thine Infant,
Hear our prayers through thine.
Virgin all excelling,
Mildest of the mild;
Freed from guilt preserve us
Meek and undefiled.
Keep our life all spotless,
Make our way secure,
Till we find in Jesus,
Joy for evermore.
Through the highest Heaven
To the almighty Three,
Father, Son and Spirit
One same glory be. Amen.
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