Homily #111112 ( 08min) Play – Our Lord tells us to pray always and gives the parable of the Persistent Widow. Fr. Bonaventure preaches on how we are to put this seemingly impossible command into practice especially during times of distress or persecution, looking toward the final coming of Our Lord when He will be looking for genuine faith in the world.
Ave Maria!
Mass: St. Josaphat – Mem – Form: OF
Readings: Saturday 32nd Week of Ordinary Time
1st: wis 18:14-16, 19:6-9
Resp: psa 105:2-3, 36-37, 42-43
Gsp: luk 18:1-8

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Homily #101122 ( 05min) Play – On this memorial to St. Cecilia we have the Gospel of the widow who gives her last mite. Our Lord praises this generosity and Fr. Bonaventure connects this to the life of St Cecilia who gave here all for God, even her life.
Ave Maria! St. Cecilia – Memorial – Mass: OF – Readings:
1st: rev 14:1-3, 4-5
Resp: psa 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Gsp: luk 21:1-4

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Homily #100605 ( 07min) Play – Today is the memorial day of  St Boniface the Martyr and Fr. Bonaventure relates this to the Widow’s Mite in today’s Gospel where a poor widow gives all that she has in this life and so puts her treasure in heaven.

Ave Maria! Mass readings
1: 2 Tim 4:1-8
R: Ps 71:8-9,14-17,22
G: Mk 12:38-44

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Homily #100504 ( 10min) Play – The Church discourages mixed marriages…

Ave Maria! St. Monica, Widow – Mass: EF, Cognovi – Readings: 1st: 1ti 5:3-10 – Gsp: luk 7:11-16

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Homily #091119 ( 04min) Play – St. Elizabeth of Hungary showed how hungry she was for heaven when she found the pearl of great price, the Gospel, and put aside all she had.

St. Elizabeth, Widow – Mass: EF, Cognovi – Readings: 1st: 1ti 5:3-10 – Gsp: mat 13:44-52

Ave Maria!

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November 17th: St. Elizabeth of Hungary

Patroness of the Franciscan Third Order (1207-1231)

She was the daughter of the King of Hungary and in 1221 married Ludwig, the Landgrave of Thuringia. With Ludwig she had four children. After her husband’s death in 1227, she became a Franciscan tertiary, devoting herself to caring for the poor, the sick, and the aged. She died in exceptional poverty and was canonized in 1235.

Collect:
Father,
You helped Elizabeth of Hungary
to recognize and honor Christ
in the poor of this world.
Let her prayers help us to serve our brothers and sisters
in time of trouble and need.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Litany of St. Elizabeth of Hungary
Protector, Third Order Franciscan

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Christ, have mercy upon us.

Lord, have mercy upon us.
O Christ, hear us.

O Christ, graciously hear us.

O God the Father, of heaven: have mercy upon us.
O God the Son, Redeemer of the world: O God, the Holy Ghost:
O Holy Trinity, one God: have mercy upon us.

Holy Mary: Pray for us.
Immaculate Virgin: Mother and Mistress of our Order: Pray for us.

St. Elizabeth, Princess of Hungary: Pray for us.
St. Elizabeth, Duchess of Thuringia: Pray for us.
St. Elizabeth, mother in Israel: Pray for us.
St. Elizabeth, queen in the Kingdom of God: Pray for us.
St. Elizabeth, consoler of sinners: Pray for us.
St. Elizabeth, nurse of lepers: Pray for us.
St. Elizabeth, devoted wife of Louis the Good: Pray for us.
St. Elizabeth, famous exemplar of Christian widowhood: Pray for us.
St. Elizabeth, fervent spouse of the Son of God: Pray for us.
St. Elizabeth, humble in prosperity: Pray for us.
St. Elizabeth, patient in adversity: Pray for us.
St. Elizabeth, mighty in penance: Pray for us.
St. Elizabeth, wondrous in prayer: Pray for us.
St. Elizabeth, first-born of the tertiaries regular: Pray for us.
St. Elizabeth, protectress of our Order: Pray for us.
St. Elizabeth, the “dear saint” of Holy Church: Pray for us.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world: spare us, O Lord.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world: graciously hear us, O Lord.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world:have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, O blessed Elizabeth. Alleluia.
R. That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ. Alleluia.

Let us pray: Merciful Lord, we pray Thee to pour the bright beams of Thy grace into our hearts:

that, by the glorious prayers of Thy Saint Elizabeth, we may learn to despise all worldly prosperity,

and ever to rejoice in all Heavenly consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

St. Elizabeth was born in Hungary in 1207, the daughter of Alexander II, King of Hungary. At the age of four she was sent for education to the court of the Landgrave of Thuringia, to whose infant son she was betrothed. As she grew in age, her piety also increased by leaps and bounds. In 1221, she married Louis of Thuringia and in spite of her position at court began to lead an austerely simple life, practiced penance, and devoted herself to works of charity.

Her husband was himself much inclined to religion and highly esteemed her virtue, encouraging her in her exemplary life. They had three children when tragedy struck – Louis was killed while fighting with the Crusaders. After his death, Elizabeth left the court, made arrangements for the care of her children, and in 1228, renounced the world, becoming a tertiary of St. Francis. She built the Franciscan hospital at Marburg and devoted herself to the care of the sick until her death at the age of 24 in 1231.

St. Elizabeth is the patron saint of bakers, countesses, death of children, falsely accused, the homeless, nursing services, tertiaries, widows, and young brides. Her symbols are alms, flowers, bread, the poor, and a pitcher.

Homily #091108 ( 16min) Play – In today’s Gospel the widow who gave up her last mite in the synagogue offering was praised by Jesus. Fr. Bonaventure explains that we will be judged by what we do with the gifts that are given to us by Our Lord.  He also explains the Via Media (the Middle Road) that is between the sin of excess and the sin of neglect.
Ave Maria! Mass readings
1: 1 Kings 17:10-16
R: Ps 146:7-10
2: Heb 9:24-28
G: Mk 12:38-44

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Homily #090326 ( 06min) Play – The widow who’s son had died wept like only a mother can. Listen to see how she reflects Mary’s sorrow and her joy at the resurrection.

Ave Maria!

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Homily #080607 ( 00min) Play – Today Fr. Bonaventure gives a homily on the Widow in todays Gospel, who is a figure of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who gave all that she had..
Ave Maria! Mass readings
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