|
Angels ...
I may not be an angel but I live in a small city where many people exhibit angelic qualities. Some folks here say "this is God's country." We could all join in the well-known refrain and sing "Let us build the city of God. May our tears be turned into dancing! For the Lord, our light and our love, has turned the night into day!" Saints ... St. Basil the Great said, "The bread in your box belongs to the hungry; the cloak in your closet belongs to the naked; the shoes that you do not wear belong to the barefoot, the money in your vault belongs to the destitute." It is no secret that I'm no saint, but like many people, I have the distinguished honor of sharing a name with a saint. In fact, many great men used the name Stephen before me: St. Stephen; Pope Stephen; St. Stephen Harding and St. Stephen of Muret to name a few. What about you? Do you share a name with a saint? If yes, please feel welcome to read about your favorite saint today. In the event that you do not now share a name with a saint, you are still invited to read about them. Who knows, you may find one that you like and may even want to share their name. Meanwhile, I cordially invite you to join me in pray with St. Stephen and St. Jude. 
Prayer to St. Stephen O glorious St. Stephen, first Martyr for the Faith, filled with compassion for those who invoke you, with love for those who suffer, heavily laden with the weight of my troubles. I kneel at your feet and humbly beg you to take my present need(s) under your special protection ... (mention here). Vouchsafe to recommend it to our Lord Jesus. Cease not to intercede for me until my request is granted. Above all, obtain for me the grace to one day meet God face to face, and with you and Mary and all the angels and saints praise Him through all eternity. O most powerful Saint Stephen, Deacon and Martyr, do not let me lose my soul, but obtain for me the grace of winning my way to heaven, forever and ever. Amen.  Prayer to St. Jude
Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, I honor you in gratitude as my special and powerful patron and encourage devotion to you. St. Jude, who worked many wonders through the power of the Holy Spirit. Patron Saints | Saint of the day | St. Therese, the Little Flower |
|
The word "angel" comes from the Greek word angelos; it means messenger of love, servant of God. The Scriptures contain many references to their activities. In the Acts of the Apostles we read how Peter was assisted by an angel in his escape from prison.