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Tag Archives: Shrine

Saint John Paul II Canonization Day

27 Thursday Apr 2017

Posted by Brian in Our Lady of Czestochowa, Saints

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

canonization, Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine, Pauline Fathers, Saint, Saint John Paul II, Shrine, St. Faustina, St. John XXIII, St. Paul the Hermit, The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa

Saint John paul II

Saint John Paul II, The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Philadelphia Pennsylvania.

Yes, April 27 is the day St. Pope John Paul II was canonized. He attended the Second Vatican Council initiated by Pope John XXIII, who also was canonized on this day.

Born Karl Wojtyla, Pope John Paul was an actor, poet, athlete, playwrite, priest and philosopher.

As Charles Chaput, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia stated: He proved by his life the words of St. Irenaeus that “the glory of God is man fully alive.”

outside with JP2

St. John Paul II visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa on two occasions while a cardinal. Karol Cardinal Wojtyla first visit was in 1969 and again in 1976 while attending the Eucharistic Congress held in Philadelphia. He became the 264th Pope of the Catholic Church two years later in 1978. John Paul II was the first non Italian pope since Pope Adrian VI who died in 1523.

saint JP II COAT OF ARMS
Coat of Arms of Pope John Paul II with the Marian Cross. The Letter M is for Mary, the mother of Jesus, to whom he held strong devotion.

john paul at the door full view

John Paul II created Divine Mercy Sunday which is celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. It is originally based on the devotion to the Divine Mercy that Saint Faustina Kowalska reported as part of her encounter with Jesus.

St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun reported visions and visitations from Jesus and conversations with Him. She could read souls!

sainte-faustine_int

John Paul II beatified Sr. Maria Faustina Kowalska on April 18, 1993 and canonized her on April 30, 2000.

DSC_0314

St. Paul the Hermit, a strong influence at the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa.

The Pauline Fathers, like John Paul II, have a strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Their main monastery is in Czestochowa, Poland, where they continue to reside. The Pauline Order received permission from the Holy See to establish a monastery in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, and subsequently built Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine.

upper church 2

In the main church is the Miraculous Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, which was blessed by Pope John XXIII on February 10, 1962, who also became a saint. The Icon of Our Lady hangs behind the altar in the main nave and depicts the Holy Trinity. God the Father, with His arms stretched out like the wings of a large bird, enfolds Jesus Christ and all God’s people. Above them is shown a dove, the symbol of the Holy Spirit. Below them, a choir of angels, with their golden horns, extol the glory of God.

chapel of divine mercy
The Chapel of Divine Mercy, within The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Philadelphia Pennsylvania. John Paul II died on the vigil of Divine Mercy Sunday, April 2, 2005.

sign
Entrance to the shrine complex.

john paul at the door
Saint John Paul II
Feast day is October 22nd, the anniversary of his inauguration to Pope in 1978.

World Day of the Sick and Our Lady of Lourdes

11 Saturday Feb 2017

Posted by Brian in Saints

≈ 2 Comments

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Our Lady of Lourdes, Saint, Shrine, St. Bernadette, World Day of the Sick

World Day of the Sick feast day on February 11 coincides with Our Lady of Lourdes from the many healings reported at the shrine.

shrine-at-lourdes-2Shrine at Lourdes in France.

our-lady-of-lourds
There were eighteen apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Bernadette Soubiroux between February and July 1858.

early-bernadette

A young Bernadette as a French peasant girl. (actual photo)

lourders-2

There was a spring flowing near the grotto where the 9th apparition, where the Lady suggested that Bernadette take a drink. There have been many cures of ailments here, even though Bernadette said there was nothing special in the water, only that it allowed pilgrims to have faith through prayer.

grotto
Grotto with small stream at Lourdes France.

chapel
During the 13th apparition, Bernadette was told to build a chapel at the grotto.
Current chapel built up over the years is now a major pilgrimage destination for Catholics.

actual-photo-of-face-at-time-of-death
close-up-face
body

On left, actual photo of St. Bernadette at passing. On right incorruptible body and her incorruptible face.

pope-benedict-xvi-lourdes-france_large

Pope Bendedict XVI resigned on this date due (February 11) to poor health. Here is Pope Benedicts homily at Lourdes in 2008. Below his prayer at Lourdes ending the homily:

“Because you are the smile of God, the reflection of the light of Christ, the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit,

Because you chose Bernadette in her lowliness, because you are the morning star, the gate of heaven and the first creature to experience the resurrection,

Our Lady of Lourdes, with our brothers and sisters whose hearts and bodies are in pain, we pray to you!” – Pope Benedict

Saint John Paul II Embraces The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa

26 Saturday Apr 2014

Posted by Brian in Our Lady of Czestochowa, Saints

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Tags

canonization, Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine, Pauline Fathers, Saint, Saint John Paul II, Shrine, St. Faustina, St. John XXIII, St. Paul the Hermit, The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa

Saint John paul II Saint John Paul II, The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Philadelphia Pennsylvania.

On April 27, 2014, Divine Mercy Sunday, Pope Francis canonized Blessed Pope John Paul II. He attended the Second Vatican Council initiated by Pope John XXIII, who is also being canonized on this day. Born Karl Wojtyla, Pope John Paul was an actor, poet, athlete, playwrite, priest and philosopher. As Charles Chaput, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia stated: He proved by his life the words of St. Irenaeus that “the glory of God is man fully alive.”

outside with JP2

St. John Paul II visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa on two occasions while a cardinal. Karol Cardinal Wojtyla first visit was in 1969 and again in 1976 while attending the Eucharistic Congress held in Philadelphia. He became the 264th Pope of the Catholic Church two years later in 1978. John Paul II was the first non Italian pope since Pope Adrian VI who died in 1523.

saint JP II COAT OF ARMS
Coat of Arms of Pope John Paul II with the Marian Cross. The Letter M is for Mary, the mother of Jesus, to whom he held strong devotion.

john paul at the door full view

John Paul II created Divine Mercy Sunday which is celebrated on the Sunday after Easter. It is originally based on the devotion to the Divine Mercy that Saint Faustina Kowalska reported as part of her encounter with Jesus. St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun reported visions and visitations from Jesus and conversations with Him. John Paul II beatified Sr. Maria Faustina Kowalska on April 18, 1993 and canonized her on April 30, 2000.

DSC_0314
St. Paul the Hermit, a strong influence at the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa.

The Order of St. Paul the Hermit was founded during the first half of the 13th century in Hungary. The members of the Order were actual hermits who lived in the caves in Hungary. For their patron they chose St. Paul the Hermit, thereby acquiring the name “Pauline Fathers”. John Paul II had an affection for the Pauline Fathers religious order, and helped persevere the order in Poland. The Pauline Fathers, like John Paul II, have a strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Their main monastery is in Czestochowa, Poland, where they continue to reside. The Pauline Order received permission from the Holy See to establish a monastery in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, and subsequently built Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine.

upper church 2

In the main church is the Miraculous Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, which was blessed by Pope John XXIII on February 10, 1962, who also became a saint. The Icon of Our Lady hangs behind the altar in the main nave and depicts the Holy Trinity. God the Father, with His arms stretched out like the wings of a large bird, enfolds Jesus Christ and all God’s people. Above them is shown a dove, the symbol of the Holy Spirit. Below them, a choir of angels, with their golden horns, extol the glory of God.

our lady of czs lower church adoration day

The Chapel of Our Lady of Czestochowa, located at The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa on Adoration Day.

This chapel is a replica of the chapel found at the Jasna Góra Shrine in Poland. At the heart of the chapel is a copy of the Miraculous Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, blessed by Pope John Paul II, now a Saint.

Jesus

chapel of divine mercy
The Chapel of Divine Mercy, within The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Philadelphia Pennsylvania. John Paul II died on the vigil of Divine Mercy Sunday, April 2, 2005.

sign
Entrance to the shrine complex.

john paul at the door
Saint John Paul II
Feast day is October 22nd, the anniversary of his inauguration to Pope in 1978.

St. Rita of Cascia and The National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia

21 Tuesday May 2013

Posted by Brian in Saints, Shrines of Philadelphia, St. Rita of Cascia

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

feast day, Rita of Cascia, saints, Shrine, South Philly, St. Rita of Cascia Feast Day

rita shrine looking upNational Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia, Philadelphia, PA.

At the National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia, located in South Philadelphia PA, a relic of St. Rita and the pillow she laid here head are on display. Her incorrupt body resides in the chapel of Basilica of Santa Rita da Cascia in Umbria, Italy.

St. Rita is the patron of forgiveness and reconciliation and is known as being the peacemaker. Her feast day is May 22nd, the anniversary of her death. St. Rita had three patron saints that she followed throughout her lifetime. One was St. Nicholas of Tolentine, a friar committed to prayer for the faithfully departed. The other is St. Augustine and she became an Augustinian nun. The third patron saint but not the least is John the Baptist, who baptized Jesus.

st rita with thorn
St. Rita holding a single thorn that mystically pierced her forehead (stigmata). At the National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia, Philadelphia, PA.

st nicholas of tolentine
St. Nicholas of Tolentine at St. Ritas National Shrine

st john the baptist at ritas
St. John the Baptist. National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia, Philadelphia, PA.
Rita is remembered as the advocate of reconciliation and making peace.

st thomas of villanova at ritas
St. Thomas of Villanova, Augustinian. National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia, Philadelphia, PA

St. Thomas of Villanova (1488–1555) is the patron of the friars who serve the National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia. As St. Thomas was an Augustinian, most friars at the shrine are also Augustinians. At the age of thirty-six Rita pledged to follow the Rule of Saint Augustine.

Later in life at the age of sixty years, she was meditating before an image of Christ and received a stigmata, a small wound on her forehead, resembling a thorn as shown earlier. For the next fifteen years she bore this thorn. In spite of the pain she constantly experienced, she offered herself for the physical and spiritual well-being of others.

st rita with relics
St. Rita holding cross and roses with relic on display below. National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia, Philadelphia.

st rita in heaven
St Rita in Heaven at the National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia in South Philadelphia, PA.

The enormity of this feast day can not be understated. There are thousands of roses distributed prior to the Masses that are brought up to the altar with faithful asking for intersessions. Roses are blessed after each Mass on the feast day which is May 22nd. Quite a celebration!

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Shrine

04 Friday Jan 2013

Posted by Brian in Parish Shrines, Saints, Shrines of Philadelphia

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Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Shrine

building
The National Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seton is located in Emmitsburg, Maryland, roughly two hours from Philadelphia. Her feast day is January 4th.

Picture of elizabeth ann seton
Elizabeth Ann Seton is the first American born saint, born in New York City on August 28, 1774. She was born to into an Episcopal family, her mother was the daughter of an Episcopal minister. Elizabeth Ann Bayley, (her maiden name) married William Seton and had five children. William died in 1803 leaving Elizabeth a widow. Her home in NYC is now the Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seton.

IMG_2256
She converted to Catholicism and founded the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph’s, the first Catholic religious order to originate in the United States, which after her death became linked with the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. As the name suggests the Daughters of Charity follows the rule of the Vincentian religious order. Therefore, you’ll find several miraculous medal icons on the Emmitsburg campus, influenced by the Vincentians in nearby Philadelphia, who manage the Miraculous Medal Shrine.
IMG_2260
There are over 200 stained glass windows at the shrine.
2012 altar cannonization celebration
Above photo from the 37th anniversary of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s canonization. (September 14, 1975)
For more information visit,
http://www.setonheritage.org
http://catholicgene.wordpress.com/2013/01/04/a-forest-path-and-a-favorite-rock-our-happy-discovery-of-the-stomping-grounds-of-a-saint/
http://acatholicview.blogspot.com/2013/01/st-elizabeth-ann-seton.html#links

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The Cover Art

Jan Van Eyck, “The Adoration of the Lamb” 1432 from the Ghent Alterpiece. Detail: The red altar where the lamb stands reads, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world” and “Jesus the way, the truth, and the life”, both quotes from Gospel of John. In this image and in the book of Revelation the Lamb is Jesus. Directly around the Lamb on the altar are angels who are carrying the instruments in the Passion scenes, like the cross and crown of thorns.

gichontree

There's beauty in sacred spaces; from the stories they tell in architecture, stained glass windows and icons; to the rituals and liturgy that arises our soul. Inside a shrine, the angels and saints praise God with us. I hope to relay the message for the kingdom, power and glory of God, now and forever.

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