January 1, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Thursday, January 1

FIRST THURSDAY OF THE MONTH - THE ANGEL GUARDIANS
SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD
Nm 6: 22-27
Ps 67: 2-8
Gal 4: 4-7
Lk 2: 16-21

INTENTION OF THE MONTH: For the unity of all Christians: "There is no true ecumenism without interior conversion. In fact, the desire for unity is born and becomes more mature, coming from spiritual renewal, from abnegation and from the complete exercise of charity." (unitatis Redintegratio -- Vatican Council Decree on Church Unity).

From Father Tom:  These three elements are essential for any type of unity: first of all to be in line with God's thinking, then be prepared if need (be), to renounce our own viewpoint, and finally to do everything in a charitable frame of mind.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Pierina Giovannini, FSP (1972)--Fr. Francesco Gatto IJP (1995)--Sr. Diomira Sossi FSP (1999)--Sr. Geradina Cundo FSP (2002)--Bro Celestino La Perna SSP (2003), Annie Inez Palmer (1983)

Happy New Year 2015

Happy New Year, everyone. I hope your 2015 is filled with every blessing and good thing. I've been thinking a bit about my New Year's resolutions and one of Mother Angelica's quotes came to mind. A pretty lofty goal, but if we're going to aim at a goal, we might as well aim high, right. 

"We are all called to be great saints. Don't miss the opportunity."
~Mother Angelica

December 31, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and Father Tom

Wednesday, December 31

ST. SYLVESTER I, POPE
SEVENTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD
1 Jn 2: 18-21
Jn 1: 1-18

To everybody: with joy strain forward! Sanctity, Pauline apostolate, wonderful paradise (SP Jul 1957).

From Father Tom:  "Clearly the Founder sees life just as we see it: a gift to be used to fulfill our allotted role in God's plan. People need to be told this. How many would say that life has no meaning, that they were born just to add to the numbers, that infant life can be wiped out without consequence. Not so. The consequences when we deal with God are like Him: infinite. Let's not forget it.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Ignazio Biello PD (1972)--Sr. M. Agostina Messa PD (1988)--Fr Giacomo Perrino IJP (1990)--Fr. Giuseppe Di Matteo IJP (1995)--Fr Giuseppe Quarta IJP (1997)--Sr. Giovana Coccato SGBP (2006)--Sr. M. Domenica San Martino FSP (2007)--S.r Alfonsa Ritta FSP (2007)--Sr. M. Giuseppina Pratillo PD (2007)

December 30, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Tuesday, December 30

SIXTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD
1 Jn 2: 12-17
Lk 2: 36-40

The hand of God was upon me, from 1900 to 1960. The will of the Lord has been accomplished, notwithstanding the misery of him who had to be its unworthy and inept instrument. From the tabernacle: the light, the graces, the recalls, the strength and the vocations (UPS I, 374).

From Father Tom:  "The hand of God was upon me..." The aging Founder looks back over his life and see that, no mater what his failures, God never deserted him. What about you and me? Exactly the same comment applies. God/Jesus is with us every breath we draw, every thought we think. And each of us is indispensible in His plan-that's why we were born: to be part of it. Let's go!

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Fr. Gustavo Montanari IJP (1987)--Sr. M. Caritas Escareno FSP (1991)--Fr. Antonio Vertucci IJP (1984)--Liberata Stara HFI (1994)--Fr. Stanislaus Cendron SSP (2002)--Fr. Ermenegildo Dalla Cort SSP (2005)--Fr. Primo Guatta IJP (2005)--Sr. Mary Paul Landesma PD (2006)--Rosaria Lo Polito IAM (2008)

December 29, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Monday, December 29

ST. THOMAS BECKET, BISHOP, MARTYR
FIFTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD
1 Jn 2: 3-11
Lk 2: 22-35

We have started from nothing, from even lees, because a man, besides being nothing, can also be a sinner. We must perfect our intentions, our dispositions, the confidence that we had in the beginning, when this mission was started (RSP pp. 45-46).

From Father Tom:  "We have started from nothing." Of course. Until we start or begin ANYTHING...it doesn't exist except in our minds. So, it is courage and strength, concentration on what we have begun, not too many backward glances, and steady rather than spectacular progress. All the great inventors, writers, leaders in every field...had a dream and then made it real for themselves and for so many others.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Maurilia Colangelo FSP (1946)--Fr. Pietro Delcampo SSP (1989)--Sr. Anselmina Cerri FSP (1994)--Sr. Panacea Mocci FSP (1998)--Sr. M. Cristina Godoy (2010)--Mary Williams (2004)

December 28, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Sunday, December 28

THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH
Sir 3: 2-14
Ps 128: 1-5
Col 3: 12-21
Lk 2: 22-40

The house of Nazareth was the dwelling place of virtue: piety, laboriousness, voluntary poverty, patience, recollectiveness, filial love on the part of Jesus, parental love on the part of Joseph and Mary, conjugal love between Mary and Joseph (SP Jan 1963).

From Father Tom:  We would hesitate-perhaps--to compare our home to the home of Nazareth, but that is because we think of Jesus, Mary and Joseph as being visible and obviously better than all the other villagers. Not so. His neighbors were astounded when he returned to Nazareth after a brief absence and spoke to them in the synagogue (Lk 4: 22). "Where did he get this learning? He's always been just one of the local men..." Holiness is mostly on the inside.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Bro. Giuseppe Caravina SSP (1970)--Maria Balint HFI (1986)--Sr. Cherubina Cordero FSP (1991)--Fr. Luigi Zanoni SSP (1995)--Fr. Remo Santi SSP (1996)--Sr. Luigina Borrano FSP (2002)--Fr. Giuseppe Amato IJP (2004)--Ramona Allen HFI (2008)--Michael A. Costello (1993)

December 27, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Saturday, December 27

ST JOHN, APOSTLE, EVANGELIST
1 Jn 1: 1-4
Jn 20: 1-8

The manger scene is grace. We often find it hard to practice poverty: the Child Jesus has practiced it and merited it for us. We have trouble living in humility: the Child Jesus has practiced it and merited it for us. We try to avoid mortification: the Child Jesus has practiced it and merited it for us (Meditazione, 22 Dec 1933).

From Father Tom:  Already even as a little infant, Jesus is Way, Truth and Life for us-sharing our human limitations as Way, giving us the example of how to react to circumstances as Truth, and recognizing the love and care of His Mother as Life. Every moment of the life of each of us can be spent for Him in this three-fold way if we wish.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Rosa Lubino FSP (1945)--Fr. Giovanni Castoldi (1961)--Sr. Tecla Tocchetto FSP (1985)-Sr. Secondina Pellerino FSP (1984) Adelia Tommasini-HFI (1992)--Antonio Melotto HFI (1993)-Fr. Alessandro Audino IJP (1995)--Fr. Giuseppe Volpini IJP--Mercedes MIguel Pereyra HFI (2006)

December 25-26, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Friday, December 26

ST STEPHEN, FIRST MARTYR
Acts 6: 8-10; 7: 54-59
Mt 10: 17-22

These days that go by in the climate of Christmas, pass them with Mary, spiritually united to her and make ours her thoughts and sentiments when she adored the Child (APD 1958, 292).

From Father Tom:  Next to the unspeakable greatness of God--infinite, unlimited-we place the greatness of Mary. She is the most spiritually perfect human being who ever lived or ever will live and so--apart from being His mother--the only human being whose love and care for Him can be seen as adequate. May she share with us a little of her vast privileges at Christmas and all through 2015.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Agnese Manera FSP (1982)--Bro Giovani Manfredi SSP (1987)--Fr. Pietro Occelli SSP (1994)--Sr. M. Cesira Ferrero PD (1996)--Fr. Paolo Ruggeri SSP (2003)--Mario Vattovani HFI (2003)--Sr. M. Goretti Marianna PD (2004)--Sr. Lorenzina Pangrazi SGBP (2006)--Lena Piampiano (1991)--Richard I. Hass (2011)

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Thursday, December 25

THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD
CHRISTMAS
Night: Is 9: 1-6  Ps 96: 1-13  Ti 2: 11-14  Lk 2: 1-14
Dawn: Is 62: 11-12  Ps 97: 1-12  Ti 3: 4-7 Lk 2: 15-20
Day: Is 52: 7-10 Ps 98: 1-6 Heb 1: 1-6  Jn 1: 1-18

Jesus, Divine Master, we adore you with the angels who sang the reasons for your incarnation: "Glory to God and peace to all people." We thank you for having called us to share in your own apostolate. Enkindle in us your own flame of zeal for God and for souls (The prayers of the Pauline Family, p. 129).

From Father Tom:  We will never fathom--not even in Heaven--the enormity of God and of His love for us. Only a Being without limits of any kind could do what He did: choosing always the most insignificant and most painful in the key situations of His time on earth.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Carla M. Bovio FSP (1970)--Bro Elia Orsini SSP (1981)--Sr. Angela De Robertis FSp (1989)--Mario Zanini, Gabrielite (1990)--Fr. Lucas Caravina SSP 1999)--Fr. Vito Rainmondo IJP (1999)--Fr. Augustine Ampattukuzhy SSP (2005)

December 24, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Wednesday, December 24

ADVENT WEEKDAY
2 Sm 7: 1-16
Lk 1: 67-79

Jesus in heaven is among the splendor of the angels; but here He is among the animals, in the dark of night and of the grotto. He is the hidden God. Jesus teaches us the humility of of being hidden: He confounds our mania for show, for appearance, for being considered (BM p. 287).

From Father Tom:  God has no need to be among human ideas of greatness or the opposite. Before an infinite Being ALL limited creatures are equally insignificant whether we call them humans or animals. But the love of God is equally magnificent--in fact impossible to describe in human language.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M.Martina Albano PD (1986)--Sr. Assunta Romeo SGBP (2001)--Fr. Rocco Fortunato IJP (2001)--Pietro Celli HFI (2007)--Fr. Aldo Cristofani IJP (2010)

December 23, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Tuesday, December 23

ST JOHN OF KANTY, PRIEST
ADVENT WEEKDAY
Mal 3: 1-4, 23-24
Lk 1: 57-66

May the Son of God come to be born in our hearts and in our minds. May he transform us, because the redemption of each one consists in this: becoming similar to Jesus Christ (RSP p. 304).

From Father Tom:  Becoming "born again" in Christ should not be too difficult...but it usually is. The Lord lives in us, but often--to put it like that--at the very primitive stage, and his presence is not nourished and is all too often ignored or even banished altogether. No wonder a lifetime is not enough to become "other Christs"!

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Rosa Gerlotto FSP (1936)--Sr. M. Alicia Hierro Ruiz FSP (1970)--Sr. Lucidia Cardona FSP (1991)--Sr. M. Lucinia PD (2003)--Sr. M. Luisa Marcellari PD (2004)--Maria Salaris HFI (2007)

December 22, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Monday, December 22

ADVENT WEEKDAY
1 Sam 1: 24-28
Lk 1: 46-56 

It is enough to mediate on the Magnificat to understand the inner sentiments of Mary and to follow her thoughts, her will and her heart (APD 1963).

From Father Tom:  Some Scripture scholars attribute the Magnificat to Elizabeth but most say it is Mary's and is based on a similar song in 1 Sam 2: 2-10. The song has two parts, the first the thanks-giving of Mary and then the thanksgiving of the nation. Unfortunately, it is the last time she will have reason to sing.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Ausilia Baggio PD (1951)--Sr. M. Gesualda FSP (1969)--Sr. Anna Mocci FSP (1987)--Fr. Luigi Lenta SSP (1997)--Sr. Rufina Facchiano FSP (2000)--Sr. Paola Mannai SGBP (2001)--Sr. FusDta Lorenzo FSP (2008)--Sr. M. Arcangelo Hashiguchi PD (2009)--Sr. Teresina Bonini FSP (2010)--Florencio Miguel Angel Romero HFI (2010)

December 21, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Alberione

Sunday, December 21

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
2 Sam 7: 1-16
Ps 89: 2-29
Rom 16: 25-27
Lk 1: 26-38

Mary, our Mother and Teacher, carries out her sublime apostolate right from the crib, offering to humanity Jesus the divine Master Way, Truth and Life (SP Dec 1955).

From Father Tom:  We are not always convinced that Mary continually gives Jesus to the world. Was he not independent? Yes, but the meaning of the phrase seems to be that a man is always in debt to his mother: she gives him all his natural qualities, his mental ones, his psychological makeup. Certainly, he adds to these and cultivates them. But from her he receives them.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Bonaria De Sabbata FSP (1993)--Sr. Irma Antinozzi FSP (1999)--Fr. Angelo Dalmonte IJP (1999)--Fr. Ezio Acciai IJP (2000)--Bro Jorge Chaparro SSP (2003)--Sr. M. Adelia Gasparini PD (2004)--Sr. M. Santina Pettinati FSP (2005)--Leni Perotto IAM (2009)--Sr. Rina Ivan Prandi FSP (2010)--Mike Ducote (2001)

December 20, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Saturday, December 20

ADVENT WEEKDAY
Is 7: 10-14
Lk 1: 26-38

The entire life of Jesus is oriented toward the Father and leads us to the Father (SP Feb 1963).

From Father Tom:  The entire life of Jesus is lived for his Father. We do not, of course, understand the difference between Father and Son; but as mentioned elsewhere, the Son depends entirely and exclusively on his Father (a situation never verified in human terms, not even in the Son's infancy). glory be to the Father and tot he Son!

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Lucilla Di Bianca PD (1985)--Mario Ferrara HFI (1997)--Sr. Angela Festari FSP (2000)--John Yuska

* I apologize for the out of order posts. :)

December 19, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Friday, December 19

ADVENT WEEKDAY
Jdgs 13: 2-7, 24-25
Lk 1: 5-25

The way of perfection always starts from detachment from ourselves, from our possessions, from the things of the earth (RSP p. 521).

From Father Tom:  "The way of perfection..." what happened to that phrase and to the mentality that went with it? In general, it doesn't apply any more although there are a few exceptions. Let's check our own lives to see how we can perfectly observe the Statute.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Giacinta Gomes FSP (1966)--Fr. Carmine Salerni SSP (1981)--Sr. Giuseppina Albesiano FSP (1983)--Fr. Girolamo Casolari SSP (1990)--FR. Pascual Leviste SSP (2000)--Sr. M. Antonietta Mineo PD (2003)

December 18, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Thursday, December 18

ADVENT WEEKDAY
Jer 23: 5-8
Mt 1: 18-25

If we work for God's glory for the peace of men, the Lord will be with us. But when our motivation is vanity, comfort, selfishness and the like, then we remain destitute (SP Jan 1953).

From Father Tom:  It is certainly true that hte present unsatisfactory situation of hte Church and of Religious is due also to a misreading of Vatican II and a wide-spread rejection of all norms in the name of "honesty," "integrity,"  "openness," and other fancy phrases. Now - with some notable exceptions-we have the disastrous results.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Angioletta Miyazaki PD (2006)--Fr. Giusepe Cinaglia SSP (2008)--Sr. M. Epifania Bassi FSP (2009)

December 17, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Wednesday, December 17

ADVENT WEEKDAY
Gn 49: 2-10
Mt 1: 1-17

The Institute, which began without any economic fund and lived in a spirit of poverty, always received help from generous and faithful Cooperators. At times, they were helps that went beyond the ordinary limits (SP Jan 1953).

From Father Tom:  The quotes this month all appear to be centered on modest beginning and are very suitable for our Canfield situation. Here we have a reference to good people who helped and are still helping the Pauline Family's work--and will have the hundred-fold reward.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Matilde Gastaldi FSP (2000)--Giuseppina Mscali IAM (2005)--Demetrina Schirra IAM (2005)--Howard Nephew (1959)--Johnny Preston (1983)--John Banahan (no year)

December 16, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Tuesday, December 16

ADVENT WEEKDAY
Zep 3: 1-13
Mt 21-32

The Divine Master's system is always Divine: it is to start from the crib, to teach from a boat, to call as leaders a Peter, a James, a John--uneducated fishermen (SP Aug-Sep 1947)

From Father Tom:  Why does the Master habitually want  work for him to begin, practically, from nothing? Because that is the way ALL life begins, and indeed, has to. There is no way anything can because in that state, we cannot speak of "beginning."

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Fr. Luigi Iannelli IJP (1980)--Luisa Dotti AIM (1995)--Fr. Giacomo Baricalla, SSP (1996)--Fr. Luigi Sbravati IJP (1996)--Sr. Clementina Laudanno FSP (2003)--Sr. M. Teodolina Longo PD (2005)--Fr. Giovanni Piazza SSP (2006)--Anna Maria Orru HFI (2008)

December 15, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Monday, December 15

ADVENT WEEKDAY
Nm 24: 2-17
Mt 21: 23-27

The start of a bookstore and center of diffusion can be a "Bethlehem, " but with the soul aiming at a "Nazareth" and at a public life (SP Jul 1946),

From Father Tom:  This quote relates very well to our present situation in Canfield: we have transferred our bookstore to a better location and have plans for a new one. It is a challenging enterprise and needs your prayers.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: José Lomeli HFI (1993)--Sr. M. Lorenza Pinna PD (2006)--Sr. M. Bruna Rantucci FSP (2007)--Sr. Diomira Trolli FSP (2010)--Bruno Paulon HFI (2010)

December 14, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Sunday, December 14

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Is 61: 1-11
(Ps) Lk 1: 46-54
1 Thes 5: 16-24
Jn 1: 6-28

The Institute must be poor and rich at the same time: poor in our individual observance of poverty; rich in our means of apostolate (FSP 46, p. 38).

From Father Tom:  Failures in poverty--not unknown in Religious Life and perhaps especially in our time--closes the hand of Divine Providence--so the tradition goes and rightly so. Even smong us, it is important to read Articles 19 to 26 and be rather severe in jdging ourselves. Better get it right here than...hereafter.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Margherita Binello FSP (1976)--Sr.M. Renata Giaccardi PD (1993)--Msgr.Enea Selis IJP (2006)--Dalma Arena De Mattar HFI (2006)--Charlotte Ducote HFI (2007)--Fr. Henry Barry (2003)--Mary Avitable (2006)--Anthony Menella (2010)

December 13, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Saturday, December 13

ST LUCY, VIRGIN, MARTYR
Sir 48: 1-11
Mt 17: 9-13

Let our work be done in the spirit with which Jesus worked in the house of Nazareth. Let us think with what intentions and with what diligence he dedicated to a humble work like the one of a carpenter (RSP, pp. 548-549).

From Father Tom:  The Founder often refers to the "mystery" of the home in Nazareth and the extraordinary situation of an infinite God extraordinary situation of an infinite God Who lives for 30 years working like all the other men in the village...while simultaneously holding in place the unbounded Universe!

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Domenica Laus FSP (1933)--Sr. M. Albina Pepino PD (1957)--Sr. M. Graziella Justo PD (1978)--Sr. M. Elia Ferrero PD (1987)--Sr. Janina Casimira Kahol FSP (1989)--Ignazio Maritano SSP (1996)--Sr. M. Teresa Fusar-Poli FSP (1997)--Fr. Francesco Occhiogrosso IJP (1997)--Bro . Bruo Bonamigo SSP (2001)--Scotty Avitabile (2006)--Anthony J. Madeline, Jr. (2012)

December 12, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Friday, December 12

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
Zec 2: 14-17
Lk 1: 26-38

He lives well in love whoever has as his program: the glory of God and teh peace of men in Christ (SM 300);

From Father Tom:  "Glory to God"-our basic duty in life which, when fully enacted, brings about the second part of this well-known ph(r)ase: "peace to people". All over our tormented world today, evil authority is being exerted over whole nations, many of whom are now rising up to gain justice. Glory, not to God, but to some dictator and so no true peace.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Callista De Michelis PD (1988)--Sr. M. Rom,ana Battistella FSP (1996)--Sr. M. Dolores Bonfe FSP (1999)--Sr. M. Leonia Nota, FSP (1999)--Teresa De Maria IAM (2000) 

December 10-11, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Monday, December 11

DAMASUS I, POPE
Is 41: 13-20
Mt 11: 11-15

Godfather of the Pauline Family has been Canon Francesco Chiesa. From him we have received teaching, the spirit, guidance; daily help for many years, under many forms. His life was exceptional and heroic in every virtue, his zeal was directed to every person and to every initiative; he was a master who with science communicate the spirit; he was a model parish priest (UPS IV 7)

From Father Tom:  When young-and shaky-Alberione entered the second Seminary he might have faltered and failed the second time if he had not met the young educated and highly intelligent Canon Chiesa, Professor of Theology and Pastor of two parishes. In Canon Chiesa he found a friend, a spiritual director and a splendid example of priestly life. And the rest is history.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Celese Ghislandi FSP (1960)-Sr. M. Romana Rotta FSP (1960)--Sr. M. Giacinta Ferrero PD (1986)--Sr. M. Cecilia Madrigal FSP (1992)--Giuseppe Cappella HFI (1995)--Sr. Vittorina M. Guarda FSP (2009) 

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December 10

ADVENT WEEKDAY
Is 40: 25-31
Mt 11: 28-30

God chooses the humble: shepherds, fishermen, simple souls for his wondrous works (RdA 270).

From Father Tom:  The meaning here is not that God chooses the poor, the uneducated, the incompetent, etc. Such really defective people would be unable to accomplish what He has in mind, and so He is looking for those who are mentally and morally aware that they receive all from Him and prepared to do everything for Him.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Fr. Michelino Gagna SSP (1961)--Msgr. Angelo Campagna IJP (1990)--Sr. Antonietta Sandri FSP (1999)--Sr. M. Luisa Perlini )PD (2000)--Sr. Rosaria Scaini SGBP (2001)--Maria Bacca IAM (2004)--Sr. M. Marcela Lucrezi FSP (2005)--Sr. Anngelina Fabbris FSP (2008)

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December 9

ST JUAN DIEGO CUAUHTLATOATZIN
Is 40: 1-11
Mt 18: 12-14

In order to have the science of Jesus Christ, we must confess that we are ignorant, poor and in need of everything (FSP32, P. 284).

From Father Tom:  The Master has plans for all of us, work for each one to do--that's why we came into the world, not to add to the numbers, but to accomplish something positive and helpful. To do this, we need to live as well as we can, waiting for directions...But how few do!  And so the world is filled with suffering, caused by some and not alleviated by others who could do so.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Graziana Santini FSP (1963)--Sr. M. Rosa Cacciatore FSP (1981)--Domenica Nardis HFI (2005)--Sr. Josefina Glassman FSP (2007)--Sr. M. Natalis Bonifactio FSP (2007)--Sr. Onise Teresa Sassi FSP (2008)--Helen Chevraux HFI (2008)--Marjorie Seammen Bowe (2009)

December 8, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Monday, December 8

THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Gn 3: 9-20
Ps 98: 1-4
Eph 1: 3-12
Lk 1: 26-38

The blessed soul of Mary was filled with grace, according to her very high as Mother of God. Thus the Church sings: "You are all beautiful, O Mary, and the sin of origin is not in you" (BM, p. 356).

From Father Tom:  What a tremendous event, requiring a very special intervention of Divine power, not only to begin in Mary the process of conception but at the same time to block the results of good and evil in the lives of countless men and women which otherwise she would have inherited!

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Aracoeli Venturi PD (1983)--Fr. Vincenzo De Luise SSP (1985)--Gorizia D' Amicantonio IAM (1991)--Claudia Supino HFI (1999)--Fr. Silvio Ceccomancini IJP (2006)--Antonio Lopez (2004)--Roger McGrady (no year).

December 7, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Saturday, December 7

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH--THE DIVINE MASTER, WAY, TRUTH AND LIFE
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT 
Is 40: 1-11
Ps 85: 9-14
2 Pt 3: 8-14
Mk 1: 1-8

The manger scene will always be amazement and revolution in the world, because it is a condemnation of its thought and life, institution of other doctrines, of another life and of another power (FSP 29, pp. 51-52).

From Father Tom:  An interesting point here is that the word "manger" is similar to the Italian word "mangiare" which means "to eat." In this unique manger lay the little boy who would one day declare that He is "the Bread of Life."

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Maria Verdone FSP (1971)--Sr. M. Ingenia Licausi PD (1983)--Pasqualiina La Rizza HFI (2004)--Frank Mahoney & Ella Schenzinger (no year)

December 6, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Friday, December 6

ST. NICHOLAS, BISHOP
FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH--MARY QUEEN OF APOSTLES
ADVENT WEEKDAY
Is 30: 19-26
Ps 147
Mt 9: 35-10: 1-8

Jesus Christ is our wisdom, our way, our life. Apart from Him are darkness, errors, evils (SP Feb 1963).

From Father Tom:  Jesus is the Way or Guide to action; He is the Life or communicator of energy; He is the Truth or guide to what is communicated. All three aspects are important: what have we to say; how will we say it: have we the energy to go on saying it?

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Anna Meria FSP (1946)--Fr. Tito Armani SSP(1980)-- Sr. M. Massimiliana Concas PD (1998)--Sr. M. Stefana Servetti PD (2003)--Nicoletta Di Carlo IAM (2009)

December 5, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Thursday, December 5

FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH--SACRED HEART OF JESUS
ADVENT WEEKDAY
Is 9: 17-24
Ps 27
Mt 9: 27-31

The Lord does not allow food to be wanting to the worker of the Gospel. If you start humbly, with prudence, making small and daily steps, everything will proceed with sound equilibrium and you gain merits before God and before men (UPS III 37).

From Father Tom:  This quote hardly needs a commentary, but it has to be read in a spirit of faith and humility--humility meaning the courage to look foolish and even to fail initially but never to lose hope.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Fr. Luigi Bogliaccino SSP (1967)--Sr. Edvige Soldano FSP (1983)--Fr. Cirillo Tomatis SSP (1988)--Sr. Maroa Mattareo FSP (2000)--Fr. Giuseppe Pasquali SSP (2002)--Sr. M. Venanzia Scotto PD (2010)--Madeline Barbara Piatt (2002)

December 4, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Thursday, December 4

ST JOHN DAMASCENE, PRIEST, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
FIRST THURSDAY OF THE MONTH--GUARDIAN ANGELS
ADVENT WEEKDAY
Is 26: 1-6
Ps 118
Mt 7: 21-27

If you have a profound Pauline spirit, even with diminished and modest means you radiate a great light and a great warmth. The grace of vocation and of patient zeal, the supernatural life and the blessing of Jesus Master, of the Queen of Apostles, and of Saint Paul, will operate numerous and permanent fruits (SP Jul (1946).

From Father Tom:  Here is a new aspect of the "Pauline spirit" -not rushing out to proclaim the Gospel from the house tops (this can come later) but quietly laying a solid foundation for every eventuality: prayer, first of all, then whatever step is then possible, more prayer and reflection, a first practical step...faith that the Master is following everything and will reward our efforts in due course. 

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Bro Giuseppe Solero SSP (1974)--Sr. Ignazia Armani SGBP (1993)--Bro Silvano M. De Blasio SSP (1994)--Bro Dominic Lakra SSP (2008)--Bro . Ottorino Gadellini (2010)

December 3, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Wednesday, December 3

ST FRANCIS XAVIER, PRIEST
FIRST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH--ST JOSEPH
Is 25: 6-10
Ps 23
Mt 15: 29-37

Jesus has begun in a grotto and then has succeeded to complete his universal mission. It is necessary to start at once to do what you can and not be ashamed to start from small things (SP May 1957).

From Father Tom:  Here again we have the Founder's oft repeated advice: do SOMETHING and make (a) start so someone else can continue. The Legion of Mary has similar principle "symbolic action."

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Renata Vicini IAM (1971)--Fr. Antnio Gratilli SSP (1993)--SR. Alexandrina Crivelli (2005)--Sr. M. Domenica Fujiwara PD (2005)--Sr. Aurelio Facchini HFI (2006)--Sr. M. Gloria Hounau FSP (2007)--Sr. M. Chiearina Pastorino PD (2009)--Mary Byehn (1990_--Vera M. Haas (2010)--Pearl Kranske (no year)--Richard Cooper (no year)

December 2, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Tuesday, December 2

FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH--THE SOULS IN PURGATORY
ADVENT WEEKDAY
Is 11: 1-10
Ps 72
Lk 10: 21-24

"BEGIN ALWAYS FROM THE MANGER:--True good, one that is stable and substantially remains, is the one done by him who starts from the manger (Meditation, 22 Dec 1933).

From Father Tom:  A favorite Alberionian piece of advice: if you begin from the top, there is only on(e) way to go.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Tarcisia Valentini SGBP (2005)--Fr. Salvatore Caruana SSP (2008)--Alpiano Valdes (1937)

December 1, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Monday, December 1

FIRST MONDAY OF THE MONTH--ST PAUL THE APOSTLE
ADVENT WEEKDAY
Is 2: 1-5
Ps 72
Mt 8: 5-11

INTENTION OF THE MONTH:  "Flying over Palestine, let us thank the Divine Master and the Blessed Virgin who have sanctified it" (SP May 1949)--During this month let us pray for our brothers and sisters of the Pauline Family in Uganda, Uruguay, Vatican, Venezuela, Zambia.

From Father Tom:  This is one of the reflections of the Founder which he used to share with the members on his return from a round-the-world trip. Other time he spoke of India, South America, etc, commenting on the need for Christianity to become more widespread in every nation.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Christine Rimmele FSP (1991)--Sr. M. Raffaella Bernardin FSP (1992)--Fr. Emilio Mammana SSP (1996)--Fr. Ivo Marchi IJP (2001)--Ray Hopponen (no year)

November 30, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Sunday, November 30

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Is 63: 16-19, 64: 2-7
Ps 80: 2-3, 15-19
1 Cor 1: 3-9
Mk 13: 33-37

May this time of Advent serve us especially to ask the Lord for the repetition of the coming, that is of the Incarnation of the Son of God in the present world, which mostly still ignores or refuses to recognize the Savior (RSP p. 304).

From Father Tom:  Advent? Where has 2014 gone...? It has gone into eternity taking with it our good deeds, prayers and dedication...or we have simply gone through day after day piling up responsibility. The choice is ours and the result is forever.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Fr. Carlo Staurenghi IJP (1988)--Bro Miguel Alfaro SSP (1996)--Sr. M. Elvira Benedetti FSP (2003)--Sr. Michael Sisko FSP (2007)--Pasqualina Barone HFI (2010)--Mike--Fr. John Zieman OSB (no years given.

November 28, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Saturday, November 29

OF THE DAY
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Rv 22: 1-7
Ps 95: 1-7
Lk 21: 34-36

The Sanctuary of the Queen of Apostles must be the center of prayer for all vocations: center of the bearers of Christ like the Virgin going after the annunciation to the house of Zechariah,like the Twelve transformed into Apostles (SP May 1949).

From Father Tom:  I had the privilege of being present in 1954 at the dedication of our majestic Basilica. A Bishop was present from the Vatican to do the actual dedication; but the Founder was obviously the center of attention: the Basilica was clearly the fruit of super-heroic faith, taking into account the conditions of the nation at the time.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Basilia Bianco FSP (1988)--Bro Bernardo Gugole SSP (1995)--Maria Dotti IAM (1996)--Sr. M. Marcella Catani FSP (2000)--Sr. M. Caterina Marcazzan FSP (2001)--Bro Luciano Melchioro SSP (2004)--Sr. M. Timotea Higashiseto FSP (2008)--Bro Fernando Tommaselli SSP (2008)--Sr. M. Bronislawa Suchora PD (2008)--Sr. M. Angiolina Caramori FSP (2009)--Olympia Dato (2013)

November 27, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Friday, November 28

OF THE DAY
Rv 20: 1-11, 21: 2
Ps 84: 3-8
Lk 21: 29-33

Love the Church and follow her, and pray for her. Let us recite well the Pact or Secret of Success, we who are called to work with the Church and for the Church (RSP p. 284).

From Father Tom:  A reference to an important document-very easy to understand but not so easy to put into practice. It calls for absolute dedication to piety and apostolate, and absolute observance of the vows we have made. This requires plenty of goodwill and a regular reading of our Statue.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Cormariae Brugioulo PD(1995)--Sr. M. Valeria Bonucchi FSP (1998)--Fr. Dario Ansaloni IJP (1999)--Attilio Pauluzzi HFI (2005)

November 27, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Thursday, November 27

OF THE DAY
THANKSGIVING DAY (USA)
Rv 18: 1-2, 21-23, 19: 1-9
Ps 100: 1-5
Lk 21: 20-28

Everything has been carried out with the light, guidance and approval of the Church and, more precisely, of the "Pastor of the Church who guides us."  Here is the master way: in Christ and in the Church. Always as you have been born and live today (SP JUL 1957).

From Father Tom:  A further quote from the above mentioned document in which he re-emphasizes the basic points: his fidelity to the Church and to the Divine Master. Our role is first of all to understand what our special devotion is and then to live it as best we can.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Bro Bartolomeo Borgna SSP (1973)--Sr. M. Raffaella Montanari PD (1974)--Fr. Maggiorino Povero SSP (1981)--Sr. M. Cristina Panarello PD (1988)--Salvatore Orru HFI (1988)--Sr. M. Jose' Garcia SGBP (1997)--Sr. Annunziatina Del Bianco FSP (2000)--Liborio Bartolotta HFI (2000)--REnato Lattanzio HFI (2000)--Fr. Giovanni Battista Manfredi SSP (2004)--Bro Augustin Kalpakacherry SSP (2005)--Bro Paolo Zantedeschi SSP (2006)--Robert Converse (1998)--.

November 26, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Wednesday, November 26

OF THE DAY
Rv 15: 1-4
Ps 98: 1-9
Lk 21: 12-19

I am sure that all the direction given is substantially in conformity with God and the Church. Of infinite value as life and devotion is Jesus Christ, Divine Master, Way, Truth and Life who can illumine all religious perfection and apostolate (AD 351-352).

From Father Tom:  It is said that a man's last words tell everything about his life. Actually, this quote is not from his death-bed, but from a document we can call his last Will and Testament in which he sums up various aspects of his life and work. He emphasizes his fidelity to the Church and the value of the special devotion he was inspired to leave to the ages.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Bro Alfonso Bau' SSP (1973)--Maria Arena IAM (1977)--Antonio Marchi HFI (1995)--Rosa Angelico IAM (2002)--Betty Rice IAM (2004)--Giuseppina Ferrara IAM (2002)--Gertrude Graff (1996).

November 25, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Tuesday, November 25

OF THE DAY
ST. CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA, VIRGIN, MARTYR
Rv 14: 14:-19
Ps 96: 10-13
Lk 21: 5-11

The mission of Saint Paul in the Church is wonderful. How much do we owe him for the organization of the Churches, for those examples of virtue and piety that he has left for all Christianity, for those letters that merit for him a lasting remembrance (RSP p. 271).

From Father Tom:  Now here's what you might call a relevant quote from teh Founder! Unfortunately it lacks a reference to St. Paul's suffering for the churches, suffering to convince the pagans of the new way of thinking, suffering when his work is being undone by Jews who see him as a traitor to Judaism, suffering as some of his converts fall away...what a man, what  a great Saint!

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Crescentina Miatello PD (1974)--Sr. M. Benigna Bonfiglio PD (1994)--Rita Costamagna HFI (1999)--Sr. M. Celina Bucello PD (2004)--Sr. Elisabetta Tiberii FSP  (2005)

November 24, 2014 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Monday, November 24

OF THE DAY
ST. ANDREW DUNG-LAC, PRIEST, MARTYR, AND HIS COMPANIONS
Rv 14: 1-5
Ps 24: 1-6
Lk 21: 1-4

Sing about beautiful things, full of meaning and devotion, so that you do beautiful services, and you do not come out with strange praises. The Pauline Family must also be a teacher in :"piety" (RSP p. 57).

From Father Tom:  What are "strange praises"? I think a better translation would be "strange hymns." I guess the Founder is referring to the sort of Church music that marked the period after Vatican Council II. However, there were also some beautiful new numbers and we sing these beautiful new numbers and we sing these without any danger of feeling "strange."

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Tarcisia Genovesi PD (1936)--Sr. Carla Torchi FSP (1995)--Sr. M. Maurizia Masseria PD (2003)--Sr. Giovanna Biselli FSP (2006)--Sr. M. Rosalba Nota (2010)--Eleanor McParland (1990)