Better Days BroDcast

It gets harder each day to think about what to joyfully proclaim and thank God for, mainly because this is a totally different experience for us as we battle this pandemic. This pandemic has turned our world upside down. The answers may be found in Mary’s Magnificat and even your favorite style for breakfast eggs.

Music from SoundCloud.com

In 1950 Pope Pius XII defined the doctrine of our Lady’s Assumption, saying that the Immaculate Mother of God was assumed body and soul to heavenly glory. This statement embodies the two bases for the doctrine: her Immaculate Conception and her dignity as Mother of God.

De La Salle reflects on Saint Cassian being a teacher and on his martyrdom by his students. He speaks of him as a patron for the Brothers, especially in his patience with students.

Lawrence was a martyr during the persecution of the Emperor Valerian, probably in the year 258, and became one of the most famous of all martyrs.

Saint Cajetan founded the Society of Clerks Regular. The group vowed to live entirely on Providence, even prohibiting themselves any asking for alms. In this De La Salle saw a model for the Brothers’ commitment to gratuitous teaching and total trust in God.

This feast was extended to the universal Church in 1457 by Pope Calixtus III to commemorate the victory of Saint John Capistrano over the Turks near Belgrade. It was earlier celebrated in the liturgy of the second Sunday of Lent.

In 1206, Pope Innocent III commissioned Saint Dominic and bishop, Diego, to the work of preaching against the Albigensian heretics in the South of France. After much hardship, with six companions in 1215, he organized the Friars Preachers, also called the Dominicans.

The feast celebrates the dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, on the Esquiline Hill in Rome, the oldest church in honor of our Lady, dating back to the fifth century. The feast of Our Lady of the Snow is celebrated every August 5. Brother Rey Mejias FSC, a novice master based in the Philippines, is the featured reader for this meditation. Music is from Steff Daum (YouTube).

De La Salle found much inspiration in the founder of an apostolic order dedicated to education and vowing the highest regard for the Pope. Some elements of the Brothers’ Rule were adapted from the Rule written by Ignatius.

In the seeming disorder in the world now, there appears to be an “order-ing” in the things we do and value in life. This quarantine period has allowed us to return to ourselves again.