From Parochial and Plain Sermons
by Venerable John Henry Newman

Very opposite lessons are drawn in different parts of Scripture from the doctrine of Christ's leaving the world and returning to His Father; lessons so opposite the one to the other, that at first sight a reader might even find a difficulty in reconciling them together. In an earlier season of His ministry, our Lord intimates that when He was removed, His disciples should sorrow,—that then was to be the special time for humiliation. "Can the children of the Bride-chamber mourn," He asks, "as long as the Bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the Bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast." [Matt. ix. 15.] Yet in the words following the text, spoken by Him when He was going away, He says; "I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you." And He says shortly before it, "It is expedient for you that I go away." And again: "I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth Me no more: but ye see Me." Thus Christ's going to the Father is at once a source of sorrow, because it involves His absence; and of joy, because it involves His presence. And out of the doctrine of His resurrection and ascension, spring those Christian paradoxes, often spoken of in Scripture, that we are sorrowing, yet always rejoicing; as having nothing, yet possessing all things.

Since I've been away from my blog...
the Pontificator has taken up the Venerable quotation slack.

The Feast of St. John of Beverly, O.S.B., Bishop
is today. There is information on him here.
It is also the feast of St. Agostino Roscelli, Priest and Founder. To any Sisters of the Immaculata out there, blessed feast day !

From Essays Critical and Historical, Volume II
by Venerable John Henry Newman

While Lydia heard St. Paul preach, her heart was opened. She had it not in mind to exercise any supposed sacred right, she was not setting about the choice of a religion, but she was drawn on to accept the Gospel by a moral persuasion. "To him that hath more shall be given," not in the way of judging or choosing, but by an inward development met by external disclosures.

Blogging may be light...
as I am starting a new job this week, and I need to see how my schedule works out. (BTW, I'm working for these folks. Now is that cool, or what ?)

Twenty-three days...
until St. Philip's Day !

The Feast of St. Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
is today. There is information on him here. He was one of the Venerable's favorite saints.

And royal-hearted Athanase,
With Paul's own mantle blest.

Venerable John Henry Newman

It is also the feast of St. José María Rubio y Peralta, S.J., Priest.

I'm starting a new job tommorow...
Prayers would be most welcome !

Zadok
has posted a great quote from the Venerable.

Neat!
There's a "Leaf by Niggle" fansite !

Link courtesy of Dawn Eden.

If it were not Sunday...
today would be the feast of St. Joseph the Worker.

His was the title of father of the Son of God, because he was the Spouse of Mary, ever Virgin. He was our Lord’s father, because Jesus ever yielded to him the obedience of a son. He was our Lord’s father, because to him were entrusted, and by him were faithfully fulfilled, the duties of a father, in protecting Him, giving Him a home, sustaining and rearing Him, and providing Him with a trade.

V. Blessed be the name of Joseph.
R. Henceforth and for ever. Amen.

LET US PRAY

God, who in Thine ineffable Providence didst vouchsafe to choose Blessed Joseph to be the husband of Thy most holy Mother, grant, we beseech Thee, that we may be made worthy to receive him for our intercessor in heaven, whom on earth we venerate as our holy Protector: who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

Venerable John Henry Newman, C.O., Meditations and Devotions


It would also be the feast of St. Asaph, Bishop, St. Augustine Schoffler, Priest and Martyr, St. John-Louis Bonnard, Priest and Martyr, St. Peregrine Laziosi, O.S.M., Priest, and St. Richard Pampuri, O.H. .