Devotions from November 15 to 21, 2021
Jesus shows us the way to holiness: the way of the Beatitudes. The saints are, in fact, the men and women of the Beatitudes; Giuseppe Moscati, the saintly doctor whom we remember on Tuesday, lived them, as did the married couple Luigi and Maria Beltrame Quattrocchi (on Tuesday we will also begin the novena in their honor). Together with all the other saints, they show us that “the vocation to holiness is for everyone.”
Even Pope Francis, in the apostolic exhortation Gaudete et exsultate, reiterates this concept: “We are all called to be saints by living with love and offering each person his or her own witness in the occupations of each day, wherever we are. Are you a consecrated woman or man? Be holy by living your commitment with joy. Are you married? Be holy by loving and caring for your husband or wife, as Christ did for the Church. Are you a worker? Be holy by carrying out your work with honesty and competence in the service of your brothers and sisters. Are you a parent, grandmother, or grandfather? Be holy by teaching children patiently to follow Jesus. Do you have authority? Be holy by striving for the common good and renouncing your personal interests. Let the grace of your Baptism bear fruit in a journey of holiness.”
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16
Saint Giuseppe Moscati
“The figure of Professor Moscati confirms that the vocation to holiness is for everyone; indeed, it is possible for everyone,” said Saint Paul VI. Giuseppe Moscati (1880-1927) was an unimpeachable model of a physician aware of his professional duty and his sublime mission in the presence of human suffering. From 1903 until his death, he devoted himself entirely to scientific research and, at the same time, to hospital service, carried out with great generosity and noble charity in providing free care to the most needy patients. The feverish pace of his days drew order and strength from daily Eucharist. The two pillars of his life were love of God and love of neighbor, which for Moscati meant seeking the good of others even in the exercise of his profession.
For further reflection:
• Saint Giuseppe Moscati
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16
Start of the novena to the spouses Beltrame Quattrocchi
During these nine days in which we invoke the intercession of the spouses Beltrame Quattrocchi, let us meditate on the words Maria wrote in one of her works, entitled The Warp and the Weft: “Everything in common, with a constant exchange of tangible and emotional values, with a single life of aspirations and goals, with mutual respect and immense love. With a cherished taste of novelty, in every moment of conversation - of exchanges of thought - of closeness... Earthly life - made up of anxieties and cares - of fears and recommendations - of mutual tenderness, which are not sentimentalism or romanticism, but rather a world enclosed within its boundaries that, from unfathomable depths and boundless expanses, while remaining between the two of them, knows how to radiate love and light outward.” After a life together, Maria concludes: “Such is marriage, and only in this way can it achieve a valid result that is its own reward and bears good fruit. Thread by thread, intertwined in God, one with the other without interruption, unto eternity.”
For further reflection:
• Novena to Blessed Luigi and Maria Beltrame Quattrocchi
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18
Start of the novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
The Miraculous Medal is the medal of Our Lady par excellence, because it is the only one designed and desired by her, known throughout the world and called “miraculous” because of the graces, wonders, and miracles attributed to it. It originated from a series of apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Saint Catherine Labouré, a 24-year-old woman who had just begun her novitiate with the Daughters of Charity, a religious order founded by Saint Vincent de Paul. During the apparition of November 27, 1830, which took place on the eve of the first Sunday of Advent, Saint Catherine saw Our Lady surrounded by a halo on which was written in golden letters, “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you.” Our Lady’s command was: “Have a medal struck according to this model. Those who wear it around their necks will receive great graces; my graces will be abundant for all those who trust in me.” The first medals were struck in May 1832, and the results soon followed. From that moment on, the Miraculous Medal, as it soon became known through popular devotion, was credited with many conversions and healings throughout the world.
The novena is a privileged opportunity to learn about the history and origin of the Medal, but above all to learn to love and honor the Virgin who gave it to us, wearing it not as a good-luck charm, but as a sign of belonging to her.
For further reflection:
• The Miraculous Medal
• Pray, pray, pray
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19
Beginning of the novena to Saint James of the Marches
The life of this saint is fascinating. A Friar Minor at the Porziuncola in Assisi, he was gifted with great oratorical ability and brought about abundant conversions and reforms in people’s conduct; immense crowds listened to him in churches and squares. He is famous for the miracles and healings he performed during his lifetime by invoking the Name of Jesus. Even today, he continues to perform them for many people who turn to God through his intercession. Let us learn more about his life and invoke him with confidence.
For further reflection:
• Saint James of the Marches
Let us ask the Lord to always direct our minds and hearts toward him, as living stones of the Church, so that all our activities and our entire Christian life may be a luminous testimony to his mercy and love. Let us all feel called to holiness!
Have a blessed journey!
