We honor St. Joseph on First Wednesdays which falls tomorrow, June 4. I will discuss at Mass how, from the Litany of St. Joseph, the two titles and functions of St. Joseph as the “Noble Offspring of David” and “Protector of Holy Church” can help us live what St. Paul tells the Ephesian Christians: guard against false teaching since some “from your own group will come forward perverting the truth” (Acts 20:30). St. Paul warned them in advance for THREE YEARS, day and night, even to the point of tears! Truth leads to salvation; falsehood to damnation. (I learned this painfully as an undergraduate at Notre Dame.)
First Friday (June 6) and First Saturday (June 7) also occur this week. Let’s persevere in these Heaven-sent devotions that lead many souls—including our own—to salvation in Christ Jesus. Consider INVITING A CATHOLIC who is unfamiliar devotions to attend our celebrations. Jesus HIMSELF and our Blessed Mother personally requested these devotions to honor their most holy Hearts and to offer reparation to them. We benefit by obtaining a fuller measure of redemptive graces from our merciful Savior.
We still have about 20 free laminated First Saturday explanatory booklets—something good to give to someone unfamiliar with the First Saturday Devotion of Reparation. It is first come, first serve—just ask.
COMING EVENTS this month, the Month of the Sacred Heart, include Friday, June 13, the feast of the great evangelical saint, St. Anthony of Padua. We will have fresh bread from Cantoro’s Italian Market in Plymouth delivered that morning that we will bless to be “St. Anthony’s Bread.” On Saturday, June 28 we will honor our second patronal namesake—the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
To communicate with me, please email me directly at abunaalex@yahoo.com or call/text me at (313) 727-9784. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!
In Jesus, Mary & Joseph,
Fr. Alex Kratz, OFM
Spiritual Director of Terra Sancta Ministries