tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62831001042177382182024-03-13T13:37:53.682-04:00Glory of America! Catholic Fiction for KidsAmerican Catholic History is our heritage...Joan Stromberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09453278552896048921noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283100104217738218.post-55975746895932876152019-10-31T20:59:00.000-04:002019-10-31T21:35:12.673-04:00Blessed Francis Seelos Novena Closing PrayerThank you all for praying this Novena with us for the healing of Bob Stromberg from Stage 4 colorectal neauroendocrine cancer. We have certainly felt uplifted by your prayers and certainly feel very grateful and loved by all your love. Bob has been very fatigued during this treatment and it is certainly taking its toll on him. He is scheduled for his next PET scan on November 22. Continued prayers are really, really appreciated. We are grateful for every day that God has brought to show his love for humanity and for us in particular.<br />
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This weekend, we are headed to Georgia to visit our Regnum Christi Consecrated daughter, Elizabeth and camping at a State Park. It should be a beautiful weekend with fall colors, waterfalls, and enjoying some of beautiful scenes of God's creation and the love poured out by our family for each other.<br />
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We think of you all and thank you again for praying for Bob and for our family.<br />
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Closing Prayer--<br />
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Heaven, the Land of Love, the Land of Joy<br />
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Where is my sweet, my happy home?<br />
I long to see it, there to come.<br />
Is it on earth and here below,<br />
Where tears in sadness often flow?<br />
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Ah, raise your heart and raise your eye,<br />
Ad ok above to heaven's sky!<br />
Look there above, where from afar<br />
Sweet heav'n invites by many a star,<br />
By may a bright and sparkling light<br />
To show the way through clouds and night.<br />
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It is above, above the sky,<br />
A land of love, a land of joy.<br />
Sweet Jesus, grant us there to come,<br />
And there to find our happy home!<br />
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--Adapted verses of Father Francis Seelos, Cumberland, Maryland, Septeber 4, 1864. Father Seelos included these verses in a personal letter to a nun and suggested she read them from time to time, accompanied by a Hail Mary.<br />
<br />Joan Stromberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09453278552896048921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283100104217738218.post-77218876433970835292019-10-31T02:30:00.000-04:002019-10-31T02:30:01.157-04:00Blessed Francis Seelos Novena Day 9<div>
Blessed Francis Seelos Novena for Healing <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717730484735549240773">of</gwmw> Bob Stromberg,</div>
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Day 9</div>
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V. <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717744396493354361642">Lord have</gwmw> mercy on us!</div>
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R. Christ have mercy on us!</div>
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V. <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717744396624157730735">Lord have</gwmw> mercy on us!</div>
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V. Christ, hear us!</div>
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R. Christ, graciously hear us!</div>
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V. Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos R. <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-1" id="gwmw-15717744396836122662756">pray</gwmw> for us</div>
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Francis, pattern of cheerfulness,</div>
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Francis, lover of labors,</div>
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Francis, model of confessors,</div>
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Francis, gentle refuge of penitents,</div>
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Francis, example to seminarians,</div>
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Francis, pillar of peacefulness,</div>
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Francis, master of poverty,</div>
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Francis, comfort of the sick,</div>
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Francis, companion to the dying,</div>
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Francis, paragon of holiness,</div>
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Let us pray,</div>
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O God, you made your <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717744397196115512553">priest Blessed</gwmw> Francis Xavier Seelos outstanding in love, that he might proclaim the mysteries of redemption and comfort those in affliction. Grant, by his intercession, that we may work zealously for your glory and for the salvation of all. Amen.<br />
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Meditation: Paragon of Holiness<br />
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Testimonial: "It is useless for me to dwell upon "Father Seelos's) well-known and edifying life. Everyoe who saw him even for the first time pronounced him a living saint. How frequently have I not heard such expressions as these: 'O the dear Saint! It does my heart good only to look at him...But he not merely looked like a saint, but was one in reality." Father Benedict Neithart, C.Ss.R A Short Account: The Dearth of Father Francis Xavier Seelos, 1867<br />
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"If Father Seelos is not a sinat, then all of us here in America will lose hope of becoming holy." Brother Louis Kenning, C.Ss.R. 1869<br />
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Reflection: In modern times, Mother Teresa of Calcutta was highly regarded as a "living siant." By all accounts, Father Seelos was also looked upon as a living saint from an early age. His companions already considered the young novice from Fussen a saint in the novitiate; later, his bishop wrote to Rome of the work that Father Seelos did in Pittsburgh, adding, "this priest is a man of truly remarkable sanctity of life." Even before beatification made the title official, many people in his own lifetime affectionately referred to him as "the Blessed Father Seelos." Rumors of his holiness intensified when stories circulated concerning the effectiveness of his prayers and healings. A mother whose daughter was healed when Father seelos prayed over her remarked, "I have looked upon Father Seelos as a saintly priest, but up to now I did not know that God had given him such great power."<br />
Yet, like all the saints before him, Father Seelos never considered himself to be holy. He was uncomfortable when others told him of his sanctity, and he tried to dispel such adulation with sincere modesty. Father Seelos, however did acknowledge a personal desire to be a spiritual man. For him the means to this end was prayer: "Prayer must be my chief strength."<br />
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Affections and Prayers: In every generation, bountiful God, you send a true witnesses of the faith to inspire us and remind us of our universal call to holiness. In Father Seelos's lifetime, few people could dwell long in his company without being made better by his presence. We too are made better by his intercession and the example of his life and holiness.<br />
If it is your will, include Blessed Francis Seelos in the company of canonized saints, so that your Catholic Church may imitate his virtues, true to the Gospel of your Son. "The Lord my God will come, and all the saints with him...And there shall be continuous day." (Zech 14: 5-7).<br />
For myself, too, I ask some share in the fellowship of the saints. Stir in me a personal desire to be spiritual. May this prayer of mine be my chief strength.<br />
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Please pray for a cure for cancer. God bless you and keep you all in his most loving arms.<br />
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Go to<a href="http://www.seelos.org/"> www.seelos.org</a> for more info.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Joan Stromberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09453278552896048921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283100104217738218.post-81095865287010090562019-10-30T02:30:00.000-04:002019-10-30T02:30:02.475-04:00Blessed Francis Seelos Novena Day 8<div>
Blessed Francis Seelos Novena for Healing <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717730484735549240773">of</gwmw> Bob Stromberg,</div>
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Day 8</div>
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V. <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717744396493354361642">Lord have</gwmw> mercy on us!</div>
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R. Christ have mercy on us!</div>
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V. <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717744396624157730735">Lord have</gwmw> mercy on us!</div>
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V. Christ, hear us!</div>
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R. Christ, graciously hear us!</div>
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V. Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos R. <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-1" id="gwmw-15717744396836122662756">pray</gwmw> for us</div>
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Francis, pattern of cheerfulness,</div>
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Francis, lover of labors,</div>
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Francis, model of confessors,</div>
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Francis, gentle refuge of penitents,</div>
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Francis, example to seminarians,</div>
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Francis, pillar of peacefulness,</div>
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Francis, master of poverty,</div>
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Francis, comfort of the sick,</div>
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Francis, companion to the dying,</div>
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Francis, paragon of holiness,</div>
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Let us pray,</div>
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O God, you made your <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717744397196115512553">priest Blessed</gwmw> Francis Xavier Seelos outstanding in love, that he might proclaim the mysteries of redemption and comfort those in affliction. Grant, by his intercession, that we may work zealously for your glory and for the salvation of all. Amen.<br />
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Meditation: Companion of the Dying<br />
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Testimonial: " Carry (Father Seelos) our heartfelt greetings. They will be perhaps the last greetins that will reach him from us on this earth...One more petition that I never dared to address to my brother personally: After his death, please ask his superiors or one of the other Fathers to give you a little memento for me, and for each of my other dear ones. This memento may be very small. Jus something...connected with his memory." From a letter by Francis Seelos's sister, Antonia, upon hearing of a severe illness that almost took her brother's life in 1857<br />
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Reflection: It was in Saint James Church, Baltimore, where Father Seelos stood in te pulpit for the first time to preach on April 13, 1845. He had been ordained a priest the previous December. The occasion for his preaching--the Feast of the Patronage of Saint Joseph--was a most appropriate one, since Father Seelos had a special devotion to Saint Joseph, the guardian of the Holy Family.<br />
An ancient prayer to Saint Joseph invites us to contemplate the tender image of the infant Jesus asleep in Saint Joseph's arms: "I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine Head for me, and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath."<br />
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Affections and Prayers: When we come to the end of our pilgrimage and enter the presence of God, let the light of your face shine upon us. O Lord. We groan while we are here, and we long to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling. Clothe us in the garment of your radiant light for the feast of the new heaven and the new earth.<br />
May our Mother Mary, Saint Joseph, all the saints, and Blessed Francis Seelos offer your gentle kiss of peace when we draw our dying breath. They will perhaps be the first to greet us and welcome us from the this earth. And, because it is your wish that we not bear alone the hour of our death, unite us to "something connected with Father Seelos's memory," as a reminder of your consolinng grace.<br />
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Cancer sucks. God is awesome.<br />
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Please consider contributing to the cause of Blessed Francis Seelos at <a href="http://www.seelos.org/">www.seelos.org</a><br />
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Joan Stromberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09453278552896048921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283100104217738218.post-43064767376640722882019-10-29T02:30:00.000-04:002019-10-29T02:30:15.163-04:00Blessed Francis Seelos Novena Day 7<div>
Blessed Francis Seelos Novena for Healing <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717730484735549240773">of</gwmw> Bob Stromberg,</div>
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Day 7</div>
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V. <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717744396493354361642">Lord have</gwmw> mercy on us!</div>
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R. Christ have mercy on us!</div>
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V. <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717744396624157730735">Lord have</gwmw> mercy on us!</div>
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V. Christ, hear us!</div>
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R. Christ, graciously hear us!</div>
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V. Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos R. <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-1" id="gwmw-15717744396836122662756">pray</gwmw> for us</div>
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Francis, pattern of cheerfulness,</div>
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Francis, lover of labors,</div>
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Francis, model of confessors,</div>
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Francis, gentle refuge of penitents,</div>
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Francis, example to seminarians,</div>
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Francis, pillar of peacefulness,</div>
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Francis, master of poverty,</div>
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Francis, comfort of the sick,</div>
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Francis, companion to the dying,</div>
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Francis, paragon of holiness,</div>
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Let us pray,</div>
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O God, you made your <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717744397196115512553">priest Blessed</gwmw> Francis Xavier Seelos outstanding in love, that he might proclaim the mysteries of redemption and comfort those in affliction. Grant, by his intercession, that we may work zealously for your glory and for the salvation of all. Amen.<br />
<br />
Meditation: Comfort of the Sick<br />
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Testimonial: "Were someone to think that the long and monotonous sickness annoys me, or that my spirit is filled with sadness, or that in this condition I consider myself unfortunate, he would certainly be deceived. The truth is that I cannot thank our loving God enough that he arranged things in this way and provided me with this time of grace in which I can spiritually take deep and long breaths that give light and warmth; time to water and make fruitful my inner life." Father Fracis Xavier Seelos, 1857.<br />
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Reflection: Of Father Seelos his confreres wrote, "He was charitable towards all--but especially to poor sinners--to the tempted or afflicted--and to the sick. He would frequently visit the latter, and, if they were in danger he would remain near them for hours at a time. He considered the sick as a blessing to the community." It is quite possible that Father Seelos displayed a fondness for the poor and the sick because he was so readily able to identify with both realities; Francis Seelos's health had never been robust and the Seelos family was not known for prestige or fortune.<br />
"For the suffering and troubled of every kind, he always had a word of helpful and consoling wisdom. He gave them the conviction that in every affliction and suffering, divine Providence has the very definite purpose of tearing people away from the world and making them holy."<br />
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Affections and Prayers: Divine Physician, it is far easier at times for me to feel your presence in a brilliant sunrise than in a lackluster sickness. During his illnesses, Father Seelos found great comfort in being able to converse with you. "I am in heaven," he wrote while bedridden. "Happy sickness that gives me this opportunity to regain spiritual strength and fervor." May his example be a contagious spirit to show how I can be in dialogue with you during my own illness. When maladies come my way, let me be still and know that you are God.<br />
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For more information on the Redemptorists' work in the United States, visit <a href="http://www.redemptorists.com/">www.redemptorists.com</a></div>
Joan Stromberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09453278552896048921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283100104217738218.post-41558307621029091162019-10-28T02:30:00.000-04:002019-10-28T02:30:01.201-04:00Blessed Francis Seelos for Healing Day 6<div>
Blessed Francis Seelos Novena for Healing <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717730484735549240773">of</gwmw> Bob Stromberg,</div>
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Day 6</div>
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V. <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717744396493354361642">Lord have</gwmw> mercy on us!</div>
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R. Christ have mercy on us!</div>
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V. <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717744396624157730735">Lord have</gwmw> mercy on us!</div>
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V. Christ, hear us!</div>
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R. Christ, graciously hear us!</div>
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V. Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos R. <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-1" id="gwmw-15717744396836122662756">pray</gwmw> for us</div>
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Francis, pattern of cheerfulness,</div>
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Francis, lover of labors,</div>
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Francis, model of confessors,</div>
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Francis, gentle refuge of penitents,</div>
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Francis, example to seminarians,</div>
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Francis, pillar of peacefulness,</div>
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Francis, master of poverty,</div>
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Francis, comfort of the sick,</div>
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Francis, companion to the dying,</div>
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Francis, paragon of holiness,</div>
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Let us pray,</div>
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O God, you made your <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717744397196115512553">priest Blessed</gwmw> Francis Xavier Seelos outstanding in love, that he might proclaim the mysteries of redemption and comfort those in affliction. Grant, by his intercession, that we may work zealously for your glory and for the salvation of all. Amen.<br />
<br />
Sixth Meditation: Master of Poverty<br />
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Testimonial: "Here as elsewhere, he was scarcely known when he already became the general favorite among all classes, male and female, young and old, rich and poor, white and black, secular and religious. His confessional was always thronged. Every sick person called for him. All the afflicted poured their tales of woe into his patient ears. In spite o himself he had to bear the heavy burden of popularity. He wondered, complained, resisted, but all to no purpose; it was impossible for him to be otherwise than kind and obliging to everyone, even the poorest and silliest. He knew no distinction of condition. He received (the lowly) with the same gentle deference as the highest gentleman or lady. " Father Benedict Neithart, C.Ss.R., Reminiscences, 1876.<br />
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Reflection: In Pittsburgh, Father Seelos encountered a poor man in the bitter cold whose toes were exposed through his torn shoes. Father Seelos kindly asked the man for his shoes and gave in return the boots from his own feet, to arrive later at home wearing the tattered shoes Father Seelos developed a love for the poor by walking in their shoes--literally and figuratively! One observer wrote that Father Seelos spent about a half hour every day in the company of the needy individual who regularly received meals in the rectory, immersing ""himself completely in the situation of this poor man." Moreover, Father Seelos made time for this interchange despite his busy schedule as superior o the religious community.<br />
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Affections and Prayers: O Lord, hear the longing of the poor, listen to their every word, and strengthen their hearts. . Strengthen my heart as well to meet the face of poverty,, for it is in this countenance that my ready-made judgments are often confronted and my levels of comfort are often challenged. Despite my own busyness, allow the poor to teach me and transform my life into one of solidarity so that together we can bring about your reign.<br />
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Please visit <a href="http://www.seelos.org/">www.seelos.org</a> for more info.<br />
<br /></div>
Joan Stromberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09453278552896048921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283100104217738218.post-38535152792215797392019-10-27T02:30:00.000-04:002019-10-27T02:30:04.513-04:00Blessed Francis Seelos Novena for Healing Day 5<div>
Blessed Francis Seelos Novena for Healing <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717730484735549240773"><gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15718626781005130562870">of</gwmw></gwmw> Bob Stromberg, </div>
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Day 5</div>
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V. <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717744396493354361642"><gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15718626790542208631814">Lord have</gwmw></gwmw> mercy on us!</div>
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R. Christ have mercy on us!</div>
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V. <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717744396624157730735"><gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15718626790636913858224">Lord have</gwmw></gwmw> mercy on us!</div>
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V. Christ, hear us!</div>
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R. Christ, graciously hear us!</div>
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V. Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos R. <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-1" id="gwmw-15717744396836122662756"><gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-1" id="gwmw-15718626802742255448267">pray</gwmw></gwmw> for us</div>
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Francis, pattern of cheerfulness,</div>
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Francis, lover of labors,</div>
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Francis, model of confessors,</div>
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Francis, gentle refuge of penitents,</div>
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Francis, example to seminarians,</div>
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Francis, pillar of peacefulness,</div>
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Francis, master of poverty,</div>
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Francis, comfort of the sick,</div>
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Francis, companion to the dying,</div>
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Francis, paragon of holiness,</div>
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Let us pray, </div>
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O God, you made your <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717744397196115512553"><gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15718626844488106732716">priest Blessed</gwmw></gwmw> Francis Xavier Seelos outstanding in love, that he might proclaim the mysteries of redemption and comfort those in affliction. Grant, by his intercession, that we may work zealously for your glory and for the salvation of all. Amen.<br />
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Meditation: Pillar of Peacefulness<br />
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Testimonial: "Anyone who observed Father Seelos closely had to marvel at his face; it seemed to reflect the land of peach and joy. One had to believe that he was in interior communication with the blessed spirits on high. In particular, a certain dignity was visible in his demeanor when he approached the altar as priest for Mass to bring to the eternal Father his Only-Begotten Son in sacrifice. There he often seemed no longer to be...of this sinful earth; and although his feet touched the ground, still he was, even exteriorly, much closer to heaven." Extract from Bernard Beck, C.Ss.R., Transcripts and Notes, Redemptorist Archives, Brooklyn.<br />
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Reflection: Father Seelos ministered to a nation torn asunder during the tumultuous Civil War. His priestly services at this time extended to wounded soldiers and prisoners of war;; however, it was the potential battle among the students entrusted to his care that gave Father Seelos an opportunity to invoke a high realm. Aware that his seminarians were from both northern and southern states, Father Seelos prudently avoided polarizing statements. He saw his responsibility as one of creating Christian unity in a climate of partisanship. Father Seelos was pillar of peacefulness in a time of division. Concerning the war, he wrote, "Earthly things are truly quite secondary to me and I leave all to the wise Providence of God. He only knows how to bring good out of evil." <br />
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Affections and Prayers: My Jesus, peace is your gift to us. Give me inner tranquility and allow me to make peace with my shortcomings. Grant me the serenity to accept the things in life I cannot change.<br />
Prince of Peace, stretch my vision to see opposing truths. Permit me the grace to disagree without being disagreeable. Help me tolerate a diversity of opinions with an open mind. Give me prudence to determine which opinions of mine are to be proclaimed loudly and which are better left unspoken. Guide my feet into your way of peace. <br />
Bless the peacemakers, Lord. You call them your children (MT 5:9). May I assist you in bringing good out of evil by working tirelessly for peace and justice and for the victims of violence.<br />
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To order more novena booklets or for more spiritual books go to <a href="http://www.liguori.org/">www.liguori.org</a></div>
Joan Stromberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09453278552896048921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283100104217738218.post-75718756997096308492019-10-26T02:30:00.000-04:002019-10-26T02:30:14.100-04:00Blessed Francis Seelos Novena for Healing, Day 4<div>
Blessed Francis Seelos Novena for Healing <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717730484735549240773"><gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15718627312200056393295">of</gwmw></gwmw> Bob Stromberg,</div>
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Day 4</div>
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V. <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717744396493354361642"><gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15718627314388149512534">Lord have</gwmw></gwmw> mercy on us!</div>
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R. Christ have mercy on us!</div>
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V. <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717744396624157730735"><gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15718627314451116933054">Lord have</gwmw></gwmw> mercy on us!</div>
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V. Christ, hear us!</div>
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R. Christ, graciously hear us!</div>
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V. Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos R. <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-1" id="gwmw-15717744396836122662756"><gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-1" id="gwmw-15718627315715110685164">pray</gwmw></gwmw> for us</div>
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Francis, pattern of cheerfulness,</div>
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Francis, lover of labors,</div>
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Francis, model of confessors,</div>
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Francis, gentle refuge of penitents,</div>
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Francis, example to seminarians,</div>
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Francis, pillar of peacefulness,</div>
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Francis, master of poverty,</div>
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Francis, comfort of the sick,</div>
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Francis, companion to the dying,</div>
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Francis, paragon of holiness,</div>
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Let us pray,</div>
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O God, you made your <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717744397196115512553"><gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15718627322975325860819">priest Blessed</gwmw></gwmw> Francis Xavier Seelos outstanding in love, that he might proclaim the mysteries of redemption and comfort those in affliction. Grant, by his intercession, that we may work zealously for your glory and for the salvation of all. Amen.<br />
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Fourth Meditation: Example to Seminarians<br />
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Testimonial: "This morning, there departed from the diocesan seminary here one of its most worthy members, Francis Xavier Seelos, to leave for North America and there, after entering the Redemptorist Order in Baltimore, to dedicate himself for his entire life to the important vocation of a missionary. May the Lord accompany with super-abundant blessing this truly apostolic undertaking of so worthy a follower of the great apostle of India, Francis Xavier, and at the same time, may this example of rare courage and apostolic zeal also inspire many other priests and seminarians, of the clergy in Catholic Bavaria, endowed with the same necessary spirit, to follow in his footsteps. <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15718630825117492009214">For</gwmw> the words of the <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15718630825111164888696">Savior still</gwmw> apply to the northern half of America in a special way. 'The harvest is great, but the laborers are few. Ask therefore the Master of the harvest to send laborers into His vineyard.'" From a newspaper <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15718631767980627195816">of</gwmw> Augsburg, Germany, December 9, 1842<br />
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Reflection: Father Seelos spent one-third of his priestly life ministering to future priests and brothers. His unconventional style as <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15718632574314761888494">director</gwmw> of the seminarians endeared him to his <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15718632574312077108979">students but</gwmw> caused concern among his superiors, who questioned his departure from the rigorous European model of seminary formation. Father Seelos could not separate his gregarious nature <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15718632853075354902590">from</gwmw> his appointed position and used this <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15718632853071694112069">spirited</gwmw> gift of his to animate others in their joy for the Lord. How he interacted with the students in recreation is illustrated by a well-known incident of the "laughing society." Organized by three young seminarians, members of the society had to withhold laughter at given signal when jokes were told. Father Seelos joined the society one day out of curiosity. He could readily laugh at a joke, but unfortunately could not stop laughing at the signaled moment, and so was penalized to say several prayers. It only took a matter of minutes before Father Seelos had two or three rosaries to recite and had to disassociate himself from the grinning group lest he incur further penalties!<br />
Father Seelos's characteristic good-natured levity did not prevent him from encouraging loftier matters in keeping with his role as director of seminarians. One of his students wrote, "With restless <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15718635449411787409777">zeal good</gwmw> Father Seelos<gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15718635449417774886099">...</gwmw>sought to promote in the students the spirit of study, of prayer and self-denial, more through example than words."<br />
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Affections and Prayers: The diary of Saint John Neumann, a mentor to Father Seelos, contains this entry: "Your will be done, O Lord. You see that the resolution to serve You is firmly fixed in my heart." In whatever <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15718636099915265622539">vocation I</gwmw> follow in life, I too firmly resolve to serve you. You called me, Creator, before I was born, and from my mother's womb, you pronounced my name. Call me to faithfulness and preserve in me a childlike spirit with which to celebrate your reign.<br />
Lord of the Harvest, let your gentle invitation be heard in many hears to bless your family throughout the world with an abundance of vocations to the priesthood and religious way of life. Blessed Francis Seelos never wearied of fostering vocations; stir up in me the enthusiasm to attract religious vocations, more through example than words. Help me to rejoice in the words of Father Seelos in saying, "Every day I realize more and more that our vocation is a treasure which we could have received only from the infinite goodness of God, and which we ourselves could never have earned.<br />
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To learn more about the work of the Redemptorist Order, visit <a href="http://www.cssr.news/">www.cssr.news</a><br />
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Joan Stromberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09453278552896048921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283100104217738218.post-53191418722338459052019-10-25T02:30:00.000-04:002019-10-25T02:30:03.687-04:00Blessed Francis Seelos Novena--Day 3<div>
Blessed Francis Seelos Novena for Healing <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717730484735549240773"><gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15718626781005130562870">of</gwmw></gwmw> Bob Stromberg, </div>
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Day 3</div>
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V. <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717744396493354361642"><gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15718626790542208631814">Lord have</gwmw></gwmw> mercy on us!</div>
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R. Christ have mercy on us!</div>
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V. <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717744396624157730735"><gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15718626790636913858224">Lord have</gwmw></gwmw> mercy on us!</div>
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V. Christ, hear us!</div>
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R. Christ, graciously hear us!</div>
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V. Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos R. <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-1" id="gwmw-15717744396836122662756"><gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-1" id="gwmw-15718626802742255448267">pray</gwmw></gwmw> for us</div>
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Francis, pattern of cheerfulness,</div>
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Francis, lover of labors,</div>
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Francis, model of confessors,</div>
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Francis, gentle refuge of penitents,</div>
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Francis, example to seminarians,</div>
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Francis, pillar of peacefulness,</div>
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Francis, master of poverty,</div>
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Francis, comfort of the sick,</div>
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Francis, companion to the dying,</div>
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Francis, paragon of holiness,</div>
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Let us pray, </div>
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O God, you made your <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717744397196115512553"><gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15718626844488106732716">priest Blessed</gwmw></gwmw> Francis Xavier Seelos outstanding in love, that he might proclaim the mysteries of redemption and comfort those in affliction. Grant, by his intercession, that we may work zealously for your glory and for the salvation of all. Amen.<u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
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Meditation: Model of Confessors and Gentle Refuge of Penitents<br />
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Testimonial: "Of Father Seelos in the tribunal of <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717745063288109952470"><gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15718626867940425109855">penance it</gwmw></gwmw> may be said that he was a true son and zealous imitator of his glorious Father St. Alphonsus. Like him, he was the friend and consoler of all in affliction. His confessional was always crowded. It seemed as if the whole congregation, wherever he might happen to be stationed, flocked to him to cast themselves and the burden of their sins at his saintly feet. For ordinary confessions a minute or two sufficed; but the few words of exhortation that fell from his lips dropped like burning coals <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717746429194893186003"><gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15718626925003331254946">into</gwmw></gwmw> the hearts of his penitents." Visitation nun who had Father Seelos as a spiritual director and confessor in Pittsburgh, quoted in "A Cheerful Ascetic," by Michael J. Curley, C.Ss. R.<br />
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Reflection: Redemptorist Father Francis Seelos belonged to a religious congregation that boldly bears the title of the Redeemer. To redeem is to set free, and Father Seelos brought freedom to those held captive, particularly those in the confessional who were overly burdened by scruples and the harsh legalism of the time. People readily sensed his genuineness as he conveyed the magnanimous source of healing and inner peace that awaited them in this sacrament. Father Seelos's own words from a sermon beckoning penitents to the confessional attest to his understanding of our gentle God: "Yes, my beloved people, God is merciful<gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717748724911014592119">...</gwmw>If you sincerely repent and amend your life; if you forsake forever all those evil ways in order to follow Christ in self-denial and penance; if you really prepare for the life to come, rejoice, for here I present you the balm for all your wounds--the infinite mercy of God."<br />
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Affections and Prayers: Many times, Lord, the self-admission of Blessed Francis Seelos is my own: "I desire for greater perfections, but the more I desire, the more I fall short." God of Compassion, I ask for the grace of an embracing heart, like the one you offer in the sacrament of penance. You well know my failings and limitations; still, you invite my imperfections to wellness. For love of you, <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717750202821760776492">make me</gwmw> whole. Help me celebrate my weakness, as did Saint Paul, for therein lies my strength. <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717749961892725447220">(</gwmw>See 2 Cor 12:10.)<br />
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Please visit www.seelos.org<br />
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Joan Stromberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09453278552896048921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283100104217738218.post-73639879752206035992019-10-24T02:30:00.000-04:002019-10-24T02:30:08.023-04:00Blessed Francis Seelos Novena--Day 2<div>
Blessed Francis Seelos Novena for Healing <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717730484735549240773">of</gwmw> Bob Stromberg, </div>
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Day 2</div>
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V. <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717730489730427450454">Lord have</gwmw> mercy on us!</div>
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R. Christ have mercy on us!</div>
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V. <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717730489784591510276">Lord have</gwmw> mercy on us!</div>
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V. Christ, hear us!</div>
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R. Christ, graciously hear us!</div>
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V. Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos R. <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-1" id="gwmw-15717730499444053381786">pray</gwmw> for us</div>
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Francis, pattern of cheerfulness,</div>
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Francis, lover of labors,</div>
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Francis, model of confessors,</div>
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Francis, gentle refuge of penitents,</div>
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Francis, example to seminarians,</div>
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Francis, pillar of peacefulness,</div>
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Francis, master of poverty,</div>
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Francis, comfort of the sick,</div>
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Francis, companion to the dying,</div>
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Francis, paragon of holiness,</div>
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Let us pray, </div>
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O God, you made your <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717730531586737972090">priest Blessed</gwmw> Francis Xavier Seelos outstanding in love, that he might proclaim the mysteries of redemption and comfort those in affliction. Grant, by his intercession, that we may work zealously for your glory and for the salvation of all. Amen.<u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
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Meditation: Lover of Labors<br />
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Testimonial: "The amount of daily labor (Father Seelos) performed as chief pastor of Saint Mary's, prefect of the church, prefect of the brothers, spiritual director of the sisters and of thousands of seculars was truly astonishing. None of us ever saw him idle for a moment. He never went visiting, never sat talking in the parlor, but was always to be found either in his cell writing or praying, or else in the confessional, in the schools, or on sick calls. Indeed, he literally killed himself with labor, mortifications, and exertions. Nevertheless, he was the most cheerful and humorous of the community." Father Benedict Neithart, C.Ss.R. A Short Account: The Death of Father Francis Xavier Seelos, 1867.<br />
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Reflection: A biographer of Father Seelos writes, "One of the most notable things about him was that he was always busy--praying, teaching, counseling, and studying. The odd moments of time left from his occupations he spent in letter writing to penitents and souls under his direction." Father Seelos himself best revealed his work <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717734427938863952159">ethic when</gwmw> he told one of his ordination classes to avoid "a manner of life which is opposed to the performance of a definite, serious work." His concern was that a superficial lifestyle might create interior confusion on "what it means to be faithful, persevering in the performance of duties and external obligations." He also thought it could create carelessness in giving "serious thought for the salvation of one's soul."<br />
Francis Seelos's untiring capacity for work was a trait shared with his father. Added to this was the evident inspiration of his spiritual father, Saint Alphonsus Liguori, who vowed never to waste a moment of time. While Father Seelos worked himself to near exhaustion, he also recognized the wisdom of relaxation and occasional indulgence in favorite pastimes as a necessity <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717735248861470174977">to</gwmw> the work process.<br />
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Affections and Prayers: My God, my God, my thoughts are often those of the psalmist: "I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; my mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws" (Psalm 22:14-15). How easily I tire of daily routines and exhausting work! Beside restful waters, Lord, lead me. Guide me in right paths for your name's sake. Allow me quiet intervals to restore my sense of self-purpose; allow me active intervals to strengthen my resolve to create a life rich in good works toward my brothers and sisters. When life is weary and burdensome, may my restlessness only find rest in you.<br />
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Please <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15717737295493549054399">considering</gwmw> visiting <a href="http://www.seelos.org/">www.seelos.org </a>and donate to the cause of Blessed Seelos' canonization.<br />
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Joan Stromberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09453278552896048921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283100104217738218.post-45239673871269019812019-10-23T02:30:00.000-04:002019-10-23T02:30:04.326-04:00Blessed Francis Seelos Novena-Day 1<div>
Blessed Francis Seelos Novena for Healing of Bob Stromberg, </div>
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Day 1</div>
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V. Lord have mercy on us!</div>
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R. Christ have mercy on us!</div>
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V. Lord have mercy on us!</div>
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V. Christ, hear us!</div>
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R. Christ, graciously hear us!</div>
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V. Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos R. pray for us</div>
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Francis, pattern of cheerfulness,</div>
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Francis, lover of labors,</div>
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Francis, model of confessors,</div>
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Francis, gentle refuge of penitents,</div>
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Francis, example to seminarians,</div>
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Francis, pillar of peacefulness,</div>
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Francis, master of poverty,</div>
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Francis, comfort of the sick,</div>
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Francis, companion to the dying,</div>
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Francis, paragon of holiness,</div>
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Let us pray, </div>
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O God, you made your priest Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos outstanding in love, that he might proclaim the mysteries of redemption and comfort those in affliction. Grant, by his intercession, that we may work zealously for your glory and for the salvation of all. Amen.</div>
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First Meditation: Pattern of Cheerfulness</div>
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<b>Testimonial:</b> In beatifying Francis Xavier Seelos, the Church once more teaches us that the Christian life is not meant to be lived as a heavy burden, in sadness or in dark asceticism. The life of Father Seelos itself shows us that holiness is a journey of fait to be undertaken with enthusiasm and serenity. This is so because Christians live in the certainty that Jesus Christ, through his Paschal Mystery, as already redeemed humanity and all of human history.--Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation of Bishops, Rome, April 12, 2000.</div>
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<b>Reflection:</b> Father Francis Seelos was neither a provincial superior o the Redemptorist Congregation nor the bishop of a diocese, although in 1860 he was considered a potential candidate for the vacant bishopric of Pittsburgh. Father Seelos was not an administrator--at least, not according to his own self-assessment--like the saintly Redemptorist confrere with whom he lived in Pittsburgh, John Neumann, canonized in 1977. Perhaps Francis Seelos's heroic virtue gives its greatest witness not only in his pastoral zeal and union with the Lord but also in the pleasant disposition and cheerful attitude with which he undertook all of his pastoral duties. Such an approach to ministry may have a special appeal today, with the high burnout rate among clergy and the increasing demands of pastoral ministry in the face of fewer pastoral agents. Moreover, such a pleasant outlook on the life that God gives us may be especially appealing to anyone who feels the stress of today's fast-paced lifestyle, whether as homemaker, parent, student, corporate executive, or combinations thereof!</div>
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<b>Affections and Prayers:</b> "Pleasure comes from without, but joy comes from within," wrote Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. Inner joy, therefore, is not contingent upon sources outside of me. But how many times, Lord, have I allowed my disposition to be affected by others, by my possessions, and by forces beyond my control? Conversely, there are times when I have burdened and depressed others by dwelling on my own minor disappointments, ailments, and challenges of life. God, you desire us to be happy. "Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God," wrote Father Teilhard de Chardin. Laughter reminds us how good it is to be alive. Help me to recognize you in the smile of others and reflect your warmth in my own expression of cheerful self-contentment, so that I "may have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)<br />
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For more info on Blessed Francis Seelos go to <a href="http://www.seelos.org/">www.seelos.org</a></div>
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<br />Joan Stromberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09453278552896048921noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283100104217738218.post-75478614712862155532019-10-22T02:30:00.000-04:002019-10-22T02:30:06.042-04:00Blessed Francis Seelos<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
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<img alt="" class="attachment-woocommerce_thumbnail size-woocommerce_thumbnail" height="342" sizes="(max-width: 231px) 100vw, 231px" src="https://www.beholdpublications.com/wordpress1/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/WillyCoverWeb-231x342.jpg" title="Children's book about Blessed Francis Seelos" width="231" /><a href="https://www.beholdpublications.com/wordpress1/product/willy-finds-victory-a-blessed-francis-seelos-story/?v=7516fd43adaa">here.</a></div>
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I thought I'd spend the time before the Novena starts on Wednesday, Oct 23, getting to know Francis Seelos and why we chose him to intercede for Bob's healing. </div>
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From the Novena booklet written by Fr. Byron Miller, CSsR:<br />
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Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos was born on January 11, 1819, in Fussen, Bavaria, Germany. Having studied for the priesthood in Germany, he asked to be admitted to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists) with a view to future work in the United States.<br />
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"In 1844 he was ordained a priest in Baltimore. His availability and innate kindness in understanding and responding to the needs of the faithful quickly made him well known as an expert confessor and spiritual director, so much so that people came to him even from neighboring towns.<br />
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"Faithful to the Redemptorist charism, Father Seelos practiced a simple lifestyle and manner of expressing himself. The themes of his preaching, rich in biblical content, were always heard and understood by everyone, regardless of education, cluture, or background. A constant endeavor in his pastoral activity was instructing children in the faith, which he held as fundamental for the growth of the Christian community in the parish.<br />
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"He was stationed in Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Annapolis, Cumberland, Detroit, and New Orleans. He preached missions and retreats throughout most of what was then the United States. He was transferred to New Orleans in 1866. In God's plan, however, his ministry there was destined to be brief. By September 1867, exhausted from visiting and caring for the victims of yellow fever, he contracted the dreaded disease. After several weeks of patiently enduring his illness, Father Seelos passed on to eternal life on October 4, 1867, at the age of forty-eight years and nine months. Many miracles are attributed to his intercession both during his life and after death."<br />
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I wrote a book set during the Civil War that centered on the hospital ministry Father Seelos engaged in during the war. In the historical fiction story, Father Seelos meets a young man who he helps to pray and rely on God during a particularly difficult time for many in our nation's history. His kindness and cheerfulness must have been a comfort to the soldiers, and many others whom he met and ministered to. You can find out more about my book, Willy Finds Victory, a Bl. Francis Seelos Story <a href="https://www.beholdpublications.com/wordpress1/product/willy-finds-victory-a-blessed-francis-seelos-story/?v=7516fd43adaa">here.</a><br />
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An interesting aside is that the characters in the book are based on the family of my great great Grandfather, William Smith, who lost an arm in the Battle of Gettysburg. <br />
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If you would like a hard copy of the Novena Booklet, or to find out more about Blessed Francis Seelos and his cause for canonization, you can click <a href="http://www.seelos.org/">www.seelos.org</a><br />
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Joan Stromberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09453278552896048921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283100104217738218.post-78599791559016205632019-10-21T10:55:00.000-04:002019-10-21T10:55:05.906-04:00Resurrected Blog--Novena of Bl. Francis Seelos for HealingYears ago, our family battled cancer when my son, John, 13 years old at the time, was diagnosed with a tectal glioma (brain stem tumor) and underwent surgery, radiation and chemo. Thanks be to God, John did recover with only some peripheral vision issues. He is now a college graduate (U of L, computer science and computer engineering), employed, and sharing a house with his sister, Mary. <br />
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At that time, this blog helped me keep all of you updated on John's health in a day and age before I had heard of Caring Bridges, belonged to Facebook or had an Instagram account! Even though I have all those avenues at my disposal, I thought that this would be the best place to post the Novena Prayers of Blessed Francis Seelos for healing of my husband, Bob, from Stage 4 neuroendocrine colorectal cancer. For details of the more than a year of surgeries, chemo, radiation and now targeted therapy, you can catch up on his Caring Bridges site here: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bobstromberg10/journal<br />
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Following the discouraging results from Bob's last PET scan, we decided to take a pilgrimage to the shrine of Blessed Francis Seelos in New Orleans. I wrote "Willy Finds Victory, a Bl. Francis Seelos Story" as one of my Glory of America series. I knew that Bl. Francis was known for his healing ministry and that he needed another miracle to be considered for canonization. <br />
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However, Bob's treatment schedule didn't allow us time to go to New Orleans for Bl. Francis' feast day, October 5th. That is, until the side effects of the treatment were so bad that they wanted to wait another week before giving him the second treatment. We decided then to go that weekend and then found out they were having their annual healing Mass that same weekend. <br />
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We brought back a booklet of prayers to pray a Novena for healing through the intercession of Bl. Francis Seelos. We will begin the Novena on October 23 in order to complete it by All Saints Day, November 1st.<br />
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I will post the prayers and meditations from the Novena everyday here on the blog with links in social media and, if you wish, I would gladly email you the link everyday if you would like to be reminded to pray this Novena for Bob's healing.<br />
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Here is some information about Novena's in general: The origins of novenas (9 consecutive days of prayer) are found in the nine days between the Ascension of Our Lord and Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles and Mary in the upper room. The apostles spend those nine days without Jesus in prayer, which was rewarded by the descent of the Holy Spirit. They then went forth to preach and convert the world. <br />
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From the Novena booklet: This devotion is an expression of love to our living Redeemer. The meditations present the example o Blessed Francis Seelos to inspire us to be as true as he was to the Gospel of Christ. Begin each prayer occasion during the novena with the invocations and opening prayer. After each mediation comes the closing prayer, consisting of verses written by Father Seelos, followed by his own suggestion to conclude with a Hail Mary."<br />
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I want to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for praying with us this novena. Miracles happen daily and our hope is always in Christ our Savior and His will for us. God bless you all!Joan Stromberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09453278552896048921noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283100104217738218.post-8537977693284703912013-02-27T10:19:00.001-05:002013-02-27T10:27:12.573-05:00In honor of...March is quickly coming upon us and as it approaches, I'm anticipating the Feast of St. Katharine Drexel on March 3rd. While researching my book on St. Katharine Drexel, <em>The People's Princess, a St. Katharine Drexel Story</em>, the first book in our <u>Princesses You Can Believe In </u>series, I came to appreciate all that the Catholic Church has done over the years to further the education and well-being of Native Americans and African-Americans. I want to take the month of March to share some of these contributions as well as wisdom from St. Katharine Drexel. <br />
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Click here to order book: <a href="http://0307843.netsolhost.com/literature/PYCBI_home.htm">http://0307843.netsolhost.com/literature/PYCBI_home.htm</a><br />
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Also, if you are reading this blog, you can get 50% off <em>The People's Princess </em>from now until the end of March. Just use the coupon code: <span style="color: #cc0000;">Princess0711 </span><span style="color: black;">when checking out. </span><br />
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I'll start out with a quote from St. Katharine on her work in love for Christ and love for her fellow man:<br />
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"If I can say of an action: 'I did it out of love of God,' there is something about it that will last through all eternity. It may in itself have been a failure and an evident mistake; nevertheless, the lovein it will save it and make it a priceless failure. The verdict of Jesus will be, "You did it to me." Enough. That poor little badly done action will last when the heavens and the earth have passed away and the time is no more."Joan Stromberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09453278552896048921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283100104217738218.post-67645789207126534512013-01-17T16:03:00.000-05:002013-01-17T16:03:15.951-05:00January's Year of Faith Saint: You've got a friend in me!You know what I like best about the saint chosen for this month's Year of the Faith by the US Bishops? Yes, she has an awesome conversion story. True, she was the first American citizen canonized. Also true that she was an awesome teacher and was instrumental in starting a Catholic school system in the US. And, of course, there is the fact that she was a mom AND a nun as well as a foundress of her own uniquely American religious order. You've got to love that. No, the best thing I like about Elizabeth Ann Seton isn't even that she has a direct connection to our family. You see, one of my husband's great, great, great aunts grew up in Emmitsburg, Maryland and became one of Mother Seton's first sisters.<br />
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All these things are quite worthy of my admiration. Don't get me wrong, I do like all these things about Mother Seton. She was so amazing in so many ways. She never told God "no" or "I can't do that, I"m just a mom." Through so much adversity, through so much sorrow, through so much gosh darn hard work, Mother Seton persevered. <br />
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But actually, the best thing I like about Mother Seton is that she knew how to be a good friend. She left behind a legacy of letters to her friends. They cherished them and saved them, as they cherished her and she them. Her friends she grew up with in New York, the friends she met in Italy during her conversion, the ones who helped her in her new-found Catholicism and those who took her work as their own...all of them were dear to Mother Seton's heart and is evident in every word she wrote them. <br />
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This is the true reason I wrote, "Kat Finds a Friend, a St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Story" the way that I did. I wanted to show all young girls, not to mention their moms, a model to emulate in friendship. I know I will never be without a friend because I count St. Elizabeth Ann Seton among one of my first. I hope you take a chance to read Mother Seton's letters. They are available here:<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Intimate-Friendships-Elizabeth-Bayley-Seton/dp/0818905557/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1358455841&sr=1-9&keywords=st.+elizabeth+ann+seton">http://www.amazon.com/Intimate-Friendships-Elizabeth-Bayley-Seton/dp/0818905557/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1358455841&sr=1-9&keywords=st.+elizabeth+ann+seton</a><br />
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Also take advantage of our Kat Finds a Friend, a St. Elizabeth Ann Seton story to share with your daughter(s). If you buy this book from Behold Publications in January, Kat's Play Book will also be sent to you as a FREE gift. Order today! <a href="http://www.beholdpublications.com/">www.beholdpublications.com</a> Click on "Catholic Literature for home and school...Glory of America...1810 Kat Finds a Friend. <br />
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Or click here: <a href="http://0307843.netsolhost.com/literature/GLORY_KFAF.htm">http://0307843.netsolhost.com/literature/GLORY_KFAF.htm</a>Joan Stromberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09453278552896048921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283100104217738218.post-74137695507676967612012-12-06T08:08:00.002-05:002012-12-10T14:56:02.375-05:00The Little Bishop of Philadelphia....John Neumann<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So the US Bishops have dedicated the month of December to St. John Neumann. Yet, unless you live in Philadelphia, you may hear very little about this humble, small in stature (he was REALLY short!), gifted, intelligent and amazing man. There has been a lot of talk lately about the canonization of John Henry Newman and frequently people get this English convert confused with St. John Neumann (actually pronounced in the German "Noi-man" rather than the English way). St. John Neumann was born in Bohemia and studied for the priesthood in Budweis (yes, of beer fame). However, the bishop was too ill to ordain priests when John finished his studies and the need was not great for new priests. Instead of waiting for the Bishop's health to improve, John left for America where priests were in great need. He left without telling his family, knowing that they would object and cause a scene. When he arrived in New York, he was immediately ordained and sent to upstate New York as a missionary priest. My book, <em>Thomas Finds a Treasure, a St. John Neumann Story</em> is about his time as a missionary priest in Williamsville, NY. <br />
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Here are some fun facts about St. John Neumann:<br />
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* He spoke 12 languages. When he became bishop of Philadelphia, a little Irish grandma went to confession to him in which he spoke to her in Gaelic. She came out of the confessional saying, "Glory be to God, he finally sent us an Irish Bishop!"<br />
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*He began 40 hours Eucharistic devotion in the diocese of Philadelphia, which still continues today and includes the other diocese that were later carved out of Philadelphia, including Scranton, Harrisburg and Allentown.<br />
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*He organized the first Catholic School system in America and founded an order of nuns to help with the teaching. (Sisters of St. Joseph)<br />
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*He was the first male American citizen to be canonized. <br />
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*He could not ride a horse. He was so short, he couldn't climb up on one without having a fence or ladder to aid him. Once he got on a horse backward and the horse took off!<br />
*He loved natural science and explored God's greatness by exploring the world around him. While a missionary in upstate New York, he would frequently be near enough to hear the sound of Niagra Falls, yet he never went to view them.<br />
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*He joined the Redemptorist order so that he could have the companionship of a religious community and for a time lived with another Redemptorist priest whose cause has also been opened: Bl. Francis Seelos (<em>Willy Finds Victory, a Blessed Francis Seelos Story...Behold Publications)</em><br />
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Find out more about St. John Neumann this month and enrich your celebration of the Year of Faith by learning about great American saints!<br />
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<em><a href="http://0307843.netsolhost.com/literature/GLORY_TFAT.htm" target="_blank">Click Here</a> to order books. Don't forget Thomas Finds a Treasure and Thomas' Treasure Chest are 1/2 off for the month of December! Use Coupon Code: GLORYHALF</em>Joan Stromberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09453278552896048921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283100104217738218.post-52366507650727619942012-12-04T14:45:00.000-05:002012-12-04T14:45:00.511-05:00Year of Faith-American Saint for December: St. John NeumannThe US Conference of Catholic Bishops has dedicated December of the Year of Faith to St. John Neumann, CSSR. Click here for details: <a href="http://usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/year-of-faith/saints-for-the-year-of-faith.cfm">http://usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/year-of-faith/saints-for-the-year-of-faith.cfm</a><br />
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Our book on St. John Neumann, <strong><u>Thomas Finds a Treasure, a St. John Neumann Story</u></strong> is definitely one of our most popular and well-loved by boys ages 7-12. Check out this review on Amazon.com by a reader:<br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="margin-left: -5px;"><img alt="5.0 out of 5 stars" border="0" height="12" src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/customer-reviews/stars-5-0._V192240867_.gif" title="5.0 out of 5 stars" width="64" /> </span><b>Great book for ALL ages</b>, <nobr>September 21,
2006</nobr> </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A2AYS59WKM4BIS/ref=cm_cr_rdp_pdp"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">A. Girone "homeschooling mom"</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b><span class="h3color tiny">This
review is from: </span>Thomas Finds a Treasure: a St. John Neumann Story (Glory
of America, Catholic girls and boys of the U.S.A) (Paperback)</b> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Hi, I'm
an 11 year old boy. I read Thomas finds a Treasure. It is a great story
especially for those defending their faith. I'm not a big reader but I went
bananas over this book.<br /><br />This story is great for every one. It teaches you
how to defend Catholic beliefs. It is exiting, emotional, and heartwarming. This
story shows how St. John Neumann changed the town of Williamsville, New
York.<br /><br />In the story Thomas is a ready- to- fight Catholic boy. He hates
the protestant boys who tease him. But when a new priest comes Thomas goes from
ready- to- fight to calm, forgiving and ready to fight not with fists but with
faithful words. But when a gun is pointed at Father's head what will Thomas do?
Buy the book and find out.<br /><br />PS- This book would teach you about St. John
Neumann, the Erie Canal and NY geography. My 9 yr old brother says it the best
story we've EVER read! </span><br />
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To celebrate the Year of Faith and St. John Neumann's month, we are givine 50% off both our Thomas Finds a Treasure and Thomas' Treasure Chest. That means you can get both books for less than $6! What a great way to celebrate Christmas and the Year of Faith with your children.<br />
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Just use the code: GLORYHALF on checkout and you'll get 1/2 off both Thomas' Treasure Chest and Thomas Finds a Treasure. Both books can be ordered here: <a href="http://0307843.netsolhost.com/literature/GLORY_TFAT.htm">http://0307843.netsolhost.com/literature/GLORY_TFAT.htm</a><br />
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Joan Stromberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09453278552896048921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283100104217738218.post-35833408772749785462012-11-13T10:59:00.001-05:002012-11-13T10:59:56.371-05:00Happy Feast Day, Mother Cabrini!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Gt9K95x6mI/UKJuXkElicI/AAAAAAAAAU8/Z8ffBApMKNg/s1600/Glory-America-Logo-Resized-web1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Gt9K95x6mI/UKJuXkElicI/AAAAAAAAAU8/Z8ffBApMKNg/s200/Glory-America-Logo-Resized-web1.jpg" width="200" /></a>Today is St. Frances Xavier Cabrini's Feast Day and we are celebrating all month long! Not only did the USCBB assign November especially deovoted to her honor for the Year of Faith, she is also the first book in our Glory of America Series: The Orphans Find a Home, a St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Story. (EcceHomoPress, 1999) If you purchase The Orphans Find a Home in November, you get two supplemental books absolutely FREE! No coupons needed, the books will be automatically added at check-out. Go to <a href="http://www.beholdpublications.com/">www.beholdpublications.com</a> and go to the products button on the top menu. Click on "Catholic Literature for Home and School"; "Glory of America: 1890" Or you can <a href="http://0307843.netsolhost.com/literature/GLORY_TOFH.htm" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a><br />
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These books in the Glory of America Series were inspired by The American Girl books where history is told from the perspective of children. The children meet the saints who help them overcome a particular problem in their lives using their faith, their specific spirituality and their setting in time and place. The books are perfect for ages 7-12 and each include a brief biography of the saint at the back of the book as well as unit studies specific to the time in history in which they take place. The Mother Cabrini book's unit study focus is on immigration since Mother was told by Pope Leo XIII to take her sisters to New York and become a missionary among the Italian immigrants there rather than to China, which was Mother Cabrini's original idea. <br />
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The books are extensively researched and based on real characters. Children will love history and their faith, too, when they learn them in such an engaging fashion. Best of all, the books are amazingly affordable ($7.95 each), also available on Kindle (through amazon.com) and the characters come with matching dolls which make great Christmas and birthday gifts and lead to hours of faith-filled fun.Joan Stromberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09453278552896048921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283100104217738218.post-76484638859903205702012-10-31T15:03:00.000-04:002012-10-31T15:03:49.006-04:00St. Frances Xavier Cabrini-November Saint<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OmP4RdKvS_o/UJFv9xJNF0I/AAAAAAAAAUM/6BDdHVfkWNI/s1600/prayer96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OmP4RdKvS_o/UJFv9xJNF0I/AAAAAAAAAUM/6BDdHVfkWNI/s320/prayer96.jpg" width="235" /></a>The US Conference of Catholic Bishops have assigned a saint to study for every month in the Year of the Faith. The saint for November is St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. Mother Cabrini was the first saint I wrote about in my Glory of America Series for ages 7-12. She was also the first American Citizen to be canonized a saint in 1947. <br />
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Read about the saints the bishops have assigned here:<br />
<a href="http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/year-of-faith/saints-for-the-year-of-faith.cfm">http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/year-of-faith/saints-for-the-year-of-faith.cfm</a><br />
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American Catholic Saints are what we have celebrated at Ecce Homo Press/Behold Publications ever since our founding in 1999 when I wrote The Orphans Find a Home, a St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Story. We have books for children on five of the twelve saints the bishops have recommended studying during the Year of Faith. We will be running specials that will coorespond to the saint designated for that month so that your whole family can grow in faith by studying together our great American saints. <br />
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This month, we offer two free books with any purchase of <strong>The Orphans Find a Home, a St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Story. </strong>Buy <strong>The Orphans Find a Home</strong> ($7.95) and get <strong>Fun with the Orphans and the Orphans Art and Activity book FREE!</strong> The free books are valued over <span style="background-color: yellow;">$12.00</span>. No coupons codes to input, the books will automatically be added to your shopping cart at checkout.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TzV0As5pn6Y/UJFxp0ftcBI/AAAAAAAAAUU/VUWl50sxtN8/s200/gl-orphanshome-cover-web1.jpg" width="137" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>The Orphans Find a Home</strong></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://0307843.netsolhost.com/literature/GLORY_TOFH.htm" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z_nNtitIXnU/UJFxxIESyVI/AAAAAAAAAUc/hwO9uxepP64/s200/gl-funorphans-cover-web1.jpg" width="137" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Fun With the Orphans</strong><br />
<strong>FREE</strong></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://0307843.netsolhost.com/literature/GLORY_TOFH.htm" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e_ocGS23z0M/UJFyx2AGYeI/AAAAAAAAAUk/dwVbR2RS-0E/s200/gl-orphansart-cover-web1.jpg" width="137" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Art & Activity Book FREE</strong></td></tr>
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Click on the book titles above to order or go to <a href="http://www.beholdpublications.com/">www.beholdpublications.com</a> and click on "Catholic Literature for Home and School."<br />
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This offer is only valid until the end of November, Mother Cabrini's month. Don't forget to check out the dolls that go along with the books on Mother Cabrini. They would make a great Christmas gift for your little American Saint in Progress!<br />
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God bless! Joan StrombergJoan Stromberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09453278552896048921noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283100104217738218.post-58377037350136589392012-10-18T15:07:00.001-04:002012-10-18T15:07:44.060-04:00Two New American Saints!<h2>
<span style="color: blue;">REJOICE!!</span></h2>
Two new US saints to be canonized by the Holy Father on October 21st. <br />
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Read the official article on the US Bishop's website: <a href="http://www.usccb.org/news/2012/12-164.cfm">http://www.usccb.org/news/2012/12-164.cfm</a><br />
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Their biographies can be found here: <a href="http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/cultural-diversity/new-saints.cfm">http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/cultural-diversity/new-saints.cfm</a><br />
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I was going to write that these saints had been "waiting a long time" to be recognized by the Church for their exemplary lives, but then I realized that these saints are out of time. Their rewards have already been given them. So, why do we canonize saints if they are assuredly already in heaven? Do they really need the Church to verify that? Of course not. But as I tell the groups of schoolchildren around the country when we talk about saints, we canonize them for our sakes, not for theirs. Saints are our inspiration. Saints come from all different backgrounds, nationalities, states in life and more. They show how universal the Church is in its call to holiness. As long as we strive for holiness, even if we are never are officially recognized by the Church as bona fide saints, we can still become ones. More than that, we are called to become saints.<br />
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So what makes US saints different from any other saint? After all, the Church is universal and there are so many saints that we can look up to already, right? Well, I think US saints are special. This country was founded on religious pluralism. And, despite our First Amendment rights granted by the Constitution, Catholics have always been on the end of prejudice and oppression. (see my previous posts). Even today, we see it as the last acceptable prejudice. We can't forget our country has really always been this way. From Catholics being forced out of Maryland...a state founded by them, to the burning of convents in Boston, to the hanging of the all-Catholic conspirators of Abraham Lincoln, to the controversies surrounding the presidential candidacies of Al Smith and even John F. Kennedy to our own Health and Human Services' mandate violating Catholic consciences, anti-Catholicism is alive in America and American history.<br />
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Despite these obstacles, or rather, perhaps because of them, we have a few American Catholics who have been recognized by their exceptional virtue. We have Mother Cabrini and Mother Seton. We have St. John Neumann and Mother Theodore Guerin. And now, we'll have St. Marianne Cope and St. Kateri....it is a reason to rejoice!!<br />
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Joan Stromberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09453278552896048921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283100104217738218.post-71564717717914143102011-11-09T07:16:00.001-05:002011-11-09T07:21:08.133-05:00Long OverdueA long-time successful blogger friend of mine once told me the key to good blogging is consistency. Obviously, I didn't listen to her or I didn't want to be successful...one of the two.<br />
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But a recent discussion with my son, Joe, also a history buff and writer, spurred me into posting and again resolving to keep up this blog. I believe its focus on Catholics in American history is very important and very neglected in this age of pluralism and "tolerance."<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Avgh_wT6SeQ/TrpqqnYeSMI/AAAAAAAAARA/y0-XLjShI3I/s1600/bloody.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Avgh_wT6SeQ/TrpqqnYeSMI/AAAAAAAAARA/y0-XLjShI3I/s1600/bloody.jpg" /></a><br />
Of course, we are now in the midst of celebrating the 150th anniversary of the first year of the Civil War. This war was such a pivotal point in our history, our society, our government and has held a fascination for historians through the generations. <br />
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I just finished a book on John Wilkes Booth and his brother Edwin Booth, "My Thoughts Be Bloody" by Nora Titone. It was a fascinating study about a fascinating family and period of time. Did you know that John Wilkes Booth's father, a famous married London actor, and his mother, an unmarried London flower girl, ran away from England to come to America? They left because Mary Ann, the pregnant flower girl, and Junius Brutus Booth wanted to get away from Booth's wife. For the next 20 years and nine children, Mary Ann and Junius lived in America as husband and wife while Junius sent money to London to his wife and son who had no idea he had a family in America. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--iVUJ7i1v1Y/TrpsbSvL1YI/AAAAAAAAARI/fOl_gKRKCw0/s1600/booths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--iVUJ7i1v1Y/TrpsbSvL1YI/AAAAAAAAARI/fOl_gKRKCw0/s1600/booths.jpg" /></a>As a family of actors, the Booths were quite well known. Junius and his son Edwin were the most successful. John always aspired to be an actor, but was not nearly as successful as his brother and father. The family loved playing Shakespeare and packed theatres (including Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC) with their shows. Edwin was so successful that he basically supported the rest of his family on the wealth he earned acting. The book suggests that John Wilkes' rivalry with his older brother, the longing for a legacy of sorts and his unpredictable temper played huge roles in his decision to assassinate the president. From the behavior described in the book, I would even conclude that John Wilkes was bi-polar. <br />
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History is an odd thing. We know the name Booth for the American Brutus he was (another great book on the conspiracy and assassination of Lincoln), but we forget the names of his brother and his father, who were so famous for so long and yet whose names will forever be overshadowed by the one act of John Wilkes on that April night in 1865.<br />
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So, what does this have to do with Catholics in history? Well, look at my note on the movie "The Conspirator" below. I was trying to get a better grasp on the motivation behind the assassination of Lincoln. After all, the war was nearly over, Washington was in celebration mode, and there seemed to be nothing to gain and everything to lose for the South in the killing of the president. I don't think I'll totally understand this horrendous act, but I do understand the man behind it a bit better after reading this book. (Actually, I listened to it on my mp3 player while I sewed sashes!)<br />
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Although this isn't a book for children, it is a good book for teens and adults who are interested in this period in history.<br />
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God bless-JoanJoan Stromberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09453278552896048921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283100104217738218.post-51391469688531834312011-04-28T16:06:00.000-04:002011-04-28T16:06:14.536-04:00http://myemail.constantcontact.com/50--OFF-ALL-BOOKS--Celebrate-Bl--JP2-.html?soid=1102382270107&aid=NRzs2tK3lDoWe began our family publishing apostolate/business through the inspiration of Pope John Paul II's call for a New Evangelization. Help us celebrate his beatification! Click through for this special offer:<br /><br /><a href="http://myemail.constantcontact.com/50--OFF-ALL-BOOKS--Celebrate-Bl--JP2-.html?soid=1102382270107&aid=NRzs2tK3lDo">http://myemail.constantcontact.com/50--OFF-ALL-BOOKS--Celebrate-Bl--JP2-.html?soid=1102382270107&aid=NRzs2tK3lDo</a>Joan Stromberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09453278552896048921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283100104217738218.post-87979345435150816712011-04-18T09:06:00.000-04:002011-04-18T09:06:31.535-04:00The Conspirator -- Great History on Film<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QMsAbKyTyBk/Tawy5jfMwBI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/7EQb75fElHM/s1600/conspirator.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="40" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QMsAbKyTyBk/Tawy5jfMwBI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/7EQb75fElHM/s640/conspirator.bmp" width="640" /></a></div>When I view historical movies, I am frequently disappointed. So many times Hollywood sacrifices the truth for a little extra drama. Or at least what they view as drama. In my opinion, the truth is usually stranger, and more interesting, than fiction. We also tend to judge history with modern-day eyes, not realizing that people may have had different ideas and ways of doing things. They had different prejudices, different views and different reactions to situations. At the same time, human nature itself is relatively unchanging. Some concepts and ideas are as relevant today as they were 150 years ago.<br />
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Yesterday, my son, Joe, also a student of history, took me to see The Conspirator for my birthday. On the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War, and 146th Anniversary of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, this movie is about Mary Surratt, the first woman executed in this country for her part in the assassination plot. I have been very interested in her story because it is part of our American Catholic heritage. All those accused and hung in the plot were Catholic at a time when anti-Catholic feelings in this country were almost as high as anti-Southern feelings. To be Catholic and a Southern sympathizer was even worse. There was always doubt surrounding Mary Surratt's guilt and this movie brings it out wonderfully. The way the conspirators were tried...in a military court with no due process or trial by jury of their peers, has since been ruled un-Constitutional. Abraham Lincoln was shot on the 14th of April, 1865. The conspirators were hung less than three months later, at the beginning of July, 1865. Can you imagine if this kind of swift execution happened today?<br />
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I have been convinced of Mary Surratt's innocence for a while. You see, in doing family genealogy work for my book, Kat Finds a Friend, I found out that one of Kat Walter's descendants, Father Jacob Ambrose Walter, was the pastor of St. Patrick's Church in Washington, DC and Mary Surratt's confessor. She was his parishioner, frequent Mass attendee and considered a devout Catholic woman. Fr. Walter was so convinced of her innocence that he ran to the White House on the morning of her execution to seek an audience with President Johnson to stay her execution. Johnson refused to see him. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-czosHiAEqWo/TawymDDaz-I/AAAAAAAAAPM/GHvYbGM1rMY/s1600/frwalter.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-czosHiAEqWo/TawymDDaz-I/AAAAAAAAAPM/GHvYbGM1rMY/s320/frwalter.bmp" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fr. Jacob Ambrose Walter</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Amazingly, Fr. Walter is in this movie. They even got his name right! And his likeness, from family photos, is quite accurate, too. When he first entered the picture and was addressed as "Fr. Walter," I nudged Joe and said, "There is your great, great uncle right there on the silver screen!" It was pretty amazing.<br />
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The movie brought out so many things that are still relevant today. How many times do we suspend the Constitutional rights of individuals for the "good of the state?" How many times do we, as a people, react to things unjustly and then forget about them months later? <br />
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Other questions remain unanswered. How much did Mary Surratt know? If the conspirators were tried in a civil court, would they have all been hung? (John Surratt was later tried in a civil court and not executed). How much did the conspirator's faith influence them or influence the outcome of the trial? John Surratt sought sanctuary from the Church. I'm sure that didn't set well with Americans or help mend any kind of anti-Catholic sentiments that prevailed at the time. <br />
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Overall, I really, really liked the movie and loved how historically accurate it was. The authenticity of everything from the clothing to the music to the scenes of the prison and old Washington transported me to 1865. For almost two hours, I felt like I was living history in the making. Definitely worth a view, even if you aren't related to any of the characters!Joan Stromberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09453278552896048921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283100104217738218.post-83959200694856471812011-04-12T14:16:00.000-04:002011-04-12T14:16:43.702-04:00More books on Kindle!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51oMY3P1w2L._SL500_AA266_PIkin3,BottomRight,-24,34_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51oMY3P1w2L._SL500_AA266_PIkin3,BottomRight,-24,34_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>We have three more Glory of America books now available on the Amazon Kindle: <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Willy-Finds-Victory-Blessed-ebook/dp/B004V51O9G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1302632022&sr=1-1">Willy Finds Victory: A Blessed Francis Seelos Story</a></em>, <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Finds-Treasure-Neumann-ebook/dp/B004RPMPZ2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1302631989&sr=1-1">Thomas Finds a Treasure: A St. Joh Neumann Story</a></em>, and our historical mystery title <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Iron-Spy-ebook/dp/B004VT3S96/ref=kinw_dp_ke?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2">The Iron Spy</a></em>. All books are by Joan Stromberg, come with interactive tables of content, and are available for the special ebook price of $5.50. Check them out!Joan Stromberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09453278552896048921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283100104217738218.post-28547951860113637552011-03-07T14:18:00.000-05:002011-03-07T14:18:21.769-05:00Kat Comes to Kindle!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Qhg+l4aUL._SL500_AA266_PIkin3,BottomRight,-16,34_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" q6="true" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Qhg+l4aUL._SL500_AA266_PIkin3,BottomRight,-16,34_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><em>Kat Finds a Friend: A St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Story</em> by Joan Stromberg joins our growing line of Catholic Historical Fiction available on the Kindle. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kat-Find-Friend-Elizabeth-ebook/dp/B004QO9TDU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=books&qid=1299525054&sr=1-3">Get it now for the special ebook price of $5.50!</a> And continue to check back with us regularly as we work to make our entire line of Glory of America books available in the convenient form of the ebook. Next up: <em>Thomas Finds a Treasure</em>.Joan Stromberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09453278552896048921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283100104217738218.post-9973007020678325152011-02-21T12:24:00.000-05:002011-02-21T12:24:30.246-05:00Another book on Kindle!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XsqZs14HL._SL500_AA266_PIkin3,BottomRight,-19,34_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j6="true" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XsqZs14HL._SL500_AA266_PIkin3,BottomRight,-19,34_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
We have another book now available on Amazon's Kindle e-reader: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Orphans-Find-Home-Francis-ebook/dp/B004NBZGQA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1298307689&sr=8-3">The Orphans Find a Home</a> by Joan Stromberg. This is the very first book in the Glory of America series, and it is now available for the special Kindle-only price of $5.50. Check it out and download your copy today!Joan Stromberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09453278552896048921noreply@blogger.com0