Homily #150217m ( 14min) Play – In today’s homily, Fr. Johannes stresses the importance of the devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows and the role of the seven founders of the Servite order  on spreading this devotion. He also elaborates on the seven promises made to St. Bridget of Sweden for those whose practice this devotion daily.
Ave Maria!
Mass: 7 Founders of Servite Order – Opt Mem – Form: OF
Readings: 

1st: gen 6:5-8, 7:1-5, 10

Resp: psa 29:1-2, 3-4, 8, 9-10

Gsp: mar 8:14-21

Audio (MP3)

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THE FIRST PRAYER:  ~ Our Father, Hail Mary,

O Jesus Christ! Eternal Sweetness to those who love Thee, joy surpassing all joy and all desire, Salvation and Hope of all sinners, Who hast proved that Thou hast no greater desire than to be among men, even assuming human nature at the fullness of time for the love of men, recall all the sufferings Thou hast endured from the instant of Thy conception, and especially during Thy Passion, as it was decreed and ordained from all eternity in the Divine plan. Remember, O Lord, that during the Last Supper with Thy disciples, having washed their feet, Thou gavest them Thy Most Precious Body and Blood, and while at the same time thou didst sweetly console them, Thou didst foretell them Thy coming Passion.

Remember the sadness and bitterness which Thou didst experience in Thy Soul as Thou Thyself bore witness saying: “My Soul is sorrowful even unto death.” Remember all the fear, anguish and pain that Thou didst suffer in Thy delicate Body before the torment of the Crucifixion, when, after having prayed three times, bathed in a sweat of blood, Thou wast betrayed by Judas, Thy disciple, arrested by the people of a nation Thou hadst chosen and elevated, accused by false witnesses, unjustly judged by three judges during the flower of Thy youth and during the solemn Paschal season. Remember that Thou wast despoiled of Thy garments and clothed in those of derision; that Thy Face and Eyes were veiled, that Thou wast buffeted, crowned with thorns, a reed placed in Thy Hands, that Thou was crushed with blows and overwhelmed with affronts and outrages. In memory of all these pains and sufferings which Thou didst endure before Thy Passion on the Cross, grant me before my death true contrition, a sincere and entire confession, worthy satisfaction and the remission of all my sins. Amen.

St. Bridget’s Feast Day is July 23rd.

The full Fifteen Prayers and their instructions and promises can be found here.

The post The First of the Fifteen St. Bridget Prayers first appeared on AirMaria.com.

Our Lord’s words to St. Bridget: Yet, even though I am now so despised, I am still so merciful that whoever prays for My mercy and humbles himself in amendment shall be forgiven his sins, and I shall save him from the evil robber – the devil. But to those who continue despising me, I shall visit My justice upon them, so that those hearing it will tremble, and those who feel it will say: “Woe, that we were ever conceived or born! Woe, that we ever provoked the Lord of majesty to wrath!”

But you, my daughter, whom I have chosen for Myself, and with whom I now speak in spirit: love Me with all your heart – not as you love your son or daughter or parents, but more than anything in the world – since I, who created you, did not spare any of My limbs in suffering for your sake! Yet, I love your soul so dearly that, rather than losing you, I would let Myself be crucified again, if it were possible. Imitate My humility; for I, the King of Glory and of angels, was clothed in ugly, wretched rags and stood naked at the pillar and heard all kinds of insults and ridicule with My own ears. Always prefer My will before your own, because My Mother, your Lady, has, from the beginning to the end, never wanted anything but what I wanted.

If you do this, then your heart shall be with My Heart, and it will be inflamed by My love in the same way that anything dry becomes rapidly inflamed by fire. Your soul shall be so inflamed and filled with Me, and I will be in you, so that everything worldly becomes bitter to you and all fleshly lusts like poison. You will rest in the arms of My Divinity, where no fleshly desires exist, but only spiritual delight and joy which fill the delighted soul with happiness – inwardly and outwardly – so that it thinks of nothing and desires nothing but the joy which it possesses. So love Me alone, and you will have all the things you want, and you will have them in abundance. Is it not written that the oil of the widow did not decrease until the day the rain was sent to earth by God according to the words of the prophet? I am the true prophet! If you believe My words and follow and fulfill them, the oil – joy and jubilation – shall never decrease for you for all eternity.”

The post From the Writings of St. Bridget of Sweden first appeared on AirMaria.com.

The Life of St. Bridget of Sweden, Widow, Third Order (1302-1373) for the Franciscan Saint of the Day for Jul 23. St. Bridget of Sweden was born into a noble family, married to a devout prince having eight children, she and her husband joined the Third order, helped the poor, and went on pilgrimage to Compostella. After her husband died she practiced more poverty and austerity, founding the order of Our Savior, and then went to Rome, working for the return of the papacy from France.  She died soon after going on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Reflection is on the need to frequently meditate on the sufferings of Christ who died for our sins winning heaven for us and the graces to be able to imitate Him, making our sufferings in this life bearable. We should grasp the meaning of the cross and plant it deep in our hearts.

For more on St. Bridget of Sweden
– https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridget_of_Sweden
– https://www.roman-catholic-saints.com/saint-bridget-of-sweden.html
– https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=264

Also on Youtube: https://youtu.be/Kwm18giE5rM
and Facebook: https://fb.watch/6W-KmxnKDq/

Read by Fr. Ignatius Manfredonia, FI from Marion Habig’s ‘The Franciscan Book of Saints’ Revised Edition, Franciscan Herald Press, ISBN: 978-0819907516

Playlist of Franciscan Saints: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TxcAETrU_k&list=PLejh_e0-LN4wErRczZGry4TXytCZFiLCm
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The post Jul 23 – St. Bridget of Sweden – Franciscan Saint of the Day first appeared on AirMaria.com.

Fr Joseph Michael gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Jul 23, 2025, where he reflects on the Parable of the Sower and St. Bridget of Sweden, urging us to be open to God’s grace and devoted to Christ’s passion.

Father discusses the Parable of the Sower, illustrating how God’s generous grace invites everyone to share in His divine life, though our response determines our faith’s growth. He emphasizes cooperating with God’s call, avoiding distractions like worldly desires, and praying for perseverance. Father also honors St. Bridget of Sweden, a wife, mother, and founder of the Brigittines, whose mystical experiences and devotion to Christ’s passion inspire us to offer ourselves heroically to atone for sins and trust in God’s mercy.

00:00 – Opening Prayer
00:09 – Parable of the Sower
00:43 – God’s Grace Reception
01:45 – Faith and Perseverance
02:29 – St. Bridget’s Life
03:43 – Christ’s Passion Revelations
04:55 – Devotion to Passion
05:32 – God’s Mercy Trust

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Bridget of Sweden – Opt Mem – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Birgitta
Readings: Wednesday 16th Week of Ordinary Time – http://usccb.org/bible/readings/072325.cfm
1st: exo 16:1-5, 9-15
Resp: psa 78:18-19, 23-28
Gsp: mat 13:1-9

More on the Readings: http://dev.airmaria.com/r?m=1113&r=1452

Also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/195ShHWLJ8/
and YouTube: https://youtu.be/f0ZTr76JHcw

The post St. Bridget’s Fruitful Perseverance – Jul 23 – Homily – Fr Joseph Michael first appeared on AirMaria.com.