St. George, Martyr

April 23 = St. George's Feast Day!

I just have less information about St. George the Martyr but I will still share it to you. Facts are still from the Christian Prayer: The Liturgy of the hours.

The veneration of Saint George began as early as the fourth century at Lydda in Palestine, where a church was built in his honor. From antiquity this veneration has spread throughout both the East and the West.

Before opening a wonderful day, let's take a moment and say a prayer.

Prayer
Lord,
hear the prayers of those who praise your mighty power.
As Saint George was ready to follow Christ in suffering and death,
so may he be ready to help us in our weakness.
Amen!

Credits:
Christian Prayer: The Liturgy of the hours
goarch.org

APRIL

APRIL!

What's special about the month of April?
For some countries, it is the start of the summer break.

Let's be productive and enjoy the month of APRIL!

Jobless Journey

Ended the 1st quarter of 2012 with a yehey - "Got Hired"! Started the 2nd quarter with the Holy Week.

God moves in mysterious ways. If you believe in Him, expect the unexpected and start dreaming!

I was jobless for almost three months. I sent resumes to some companies and was set for examinations (IQ and Technical) and interviews (Individual, Group, Phone). Applied for a Customer Service Representative in some Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies, Technical Support Staff in a local Printing company and Board Repair Specialist in a Automatic Testing Equipment -Repair (ATE) company; and guess what! I failed to be hired in any of these companies.

I thought of giving up and planned to stay at home until the first quarter of 2012 ends. One Sunday, I read the local newspaper, skipped some articles and quickly searched for the classifying adds section. I bear in mind that this job search would be the last one for this quarter. Then saw a stable BPO company looking for a Data Analyst, and to myself, OK! I will give it a try. So the following day, went to the company as a walk-in applicant, took the two hour IQ exam, In-voice exam, and the final interview; and guess what! I got hired! Hired as a Data Analyst last March 26, 2012.

And I thanked God for this opportunity!

St. Francis of Paola, Hermit

Today, April 2, we celebrate the commemoration of St. Francis of Paola, Hermit.

Saint Francis was born at Paola in Calabria in 1416. He founded a congregation of hermits, which was later entitled the Order of Minims, and approved by the Apostolic See in 1506. He died at Tours in France in 1507.

 Let's start the day by praying and asking for guidance.

 Prayer
Father of the lowly,
you raised Saint Francis of Paola
to the glory of your saints.
By his example and prayers,
may we come to the rewards
you have promised the humble
Amen!


Credits:
Christian Prayer: The Liturgy of Hours

Saint Peter Damian, Bishop and Doctor

Saint Peter Damian was born at Ravenna in 1007. After completing his studies he began to teach, but soon abandoned this and entered the hermitage of Fonte Avellana where, once elected prior, he promoted the religious life with such fervor that all of Italy was affected by his renewal. During calamitous times he helped the Roman Pontiffs through his works and writings and by various missions on behalf of Church reform. He was created bishop and cardinal of Ostia by Pope Stephen IX. Peter Damian died in 1072 and soon afterward was venerated as a saint.

Prayer

All-powerful God,
help us to follow the teachings and example of Peter Damian.
By making Christ and the service of his Church
the first love of our lives,
may we come to the joys of eternal light,
where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen!

Credits:
Christian Prayer: The Liturgy of Hours
Catholicseeking - Thanks for the picture

Seven Founders of the Order of Servites

This day is the commemoration of the Seven Founders of the Order of Servites. Here's a brief knowledge about the Seven Founders of the Order of Servites from the Christian Prayer: Liturgy of the Hours - Proper of Saints.

Seven men, born at Florence, began a life on Monte Senario with a particular veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Later they preached throughout Tuscany and founded the Order of Servites of the Blessed Virgin Mary, approved by the Holy See in 1304. Alexis Falconieri, one of the seven, died on this day in 1310.

Another information from discerninghearts.com.

Two of them were widowers and two were still married and brought their families to live together in faith.

They meant to live in solitude, but the group was continually disturbed by visitors. They all left Florence and went to Monte Senario. In 1244, under the direction of St. Peter of Verona, O.P., this group adopted a religious habit similar to the Dominicans and chose to live in accord with the Rule of St. Augustine. They adopted the name of the Servants of Mary.

The men were beatified on December 1, 1717 and canonized in 1887. The original founders were the following:

Saint Alexis Falconieri
Saint Bartholomew degli Amidei
Saint Benedict dell’Antella
Saint Buonfiglio Monaldi
Saint Gherardino Sostegni
Saint Hugh dei Lippi-Uguccioni
Saint John Buonagiunta Monetti

Let's not forget to pray to them and ask for protection and strength.

Prayer

Lord,
fill us with the LOVE
which inspired the seven holy brothers
to honor the mother of God with special devotion
and to lead your people to you.
Amen!

Credits:
Christian Prayer: The Liturgy of Hours
discerninghearts.com

St. Scholastica, Virgin

Before we close the day, let's pray to St. Scholastica, virgin as we celebrate her feast day.

A short background about St. Scholastica.

Saint Scholastica, a sister of Saint Benedict, was born in Nursia, Italy about the year 480. She vowed herself to God and followed her brother to Monte Cassino. She died there around the year 547.

Prayer

Lord,
as we recall the memory of Saint Scholastica,
we ask that by her example
we may serve you with love and obtain perfect joy.
Amen!

Credits:
Christian Prayer: The Liturgy of Hours
Joyfilledfamily - Thanks for the Picture