Devotions from October 11 to 17, 2021
During the week in which we celebrate Carlo Acutis, let us embrace his profound insights. He used to say: «Sanctification is not a process of addition but of subtraction». «Less of me, to make room for God». When asked how she would sum up the brief life of her son, who died at just 15, the mother of Blessed Carlo Acutis answered: «I would say that his entire life revolved around his daily encounter with God. He did not need many things. I would describe him as going against the grain in a time like the present. Carlo lived his brief life to the fullest. And he left a splendid testimony». Truly splendid is the testimony of this Blessed, who, having discovered the centrality of the Eucharist, wanted others to understand its importance as well. Equally splendid is the testimony of the other saints and blesseds whom we remember this week. May their example illuminate each of our days!
MONDAY, OCTOBER 11
Saint John XXIII
Angelo Roncalli was born in Sotto il Monte (BG) on November 25, 1881. After becoming a priest, he remained in Bergamo for fifteen years. In 1944, he became nuncio in Paris, and later Patriarch of Venice. On October 28, 1958, he became the successor of Pius XII. In 1959, he announced the Second Vatican Council. A man of dialogue, he made everyone, including non-Catholics and those far from the Church, feel God's friendship. His delicate yet robust spirituality was rooted in Mary. Three years after his death, Sister Caterina Capitani, who was suffering from a tumor, prayed to him insistently together with her fellow sisters. On May 25, 1966, the “Good Pope” appeared to her, telling her not to be afraid because she would be healed, and added: «You wrested this miracle from my heart». Thanks to this miracle, he was raised to the glory of the altars.
Today, let us reflect on the words he wrote in the encyclical Ad Petri Cathedram: «If we call ourselves brothers and are brothers, if we are called to the same destiny in this life and the next, how is it possible for anyone to treat others as adversaries and enemies? Why envy others, stir up hatred, and turn deadly weapons against our brothers? Enough fighting has taken place among humanity. […] Let each person therefore think not of what divides hearts, but of what can unite them in mutual understanding and esteem for one another». Let us feel invited to grow ever more each day in love.
For further reading:
• “On Your Word” missal, September-October 2021
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12
Blessed Carlo Acutis
Pope Francis said of this young man, so deeply in love with the Eucharist: «He did not settle into comfortable immobility, but recognized the needs of his time, because he saw the face of Christ in the weakest. His witness shows young people today that true happiness is found by putting God first and serving Him in our brothers and sisters, especially the least». In Christus vivit, the Pope writes: «In all the dark and painful situations of which we speak, there is a way out. For example, it is true that the digital world can expose you to the risk of withdrawing into yourself, isolation or empty pleasure. But do not forget that there are young people who are creative and sometimes brilliant even in these areas. This is the case of the young Venerable Carlo Acutis. He knew very well that these mechanisms of communication, advertising and social networks can be used to turn us into drowsy subjects, dependent on consumption and the new things we can buy, obsessed with leisure time, closed in negativity. But he knew how to use new communication technologies to spread the Gospel, and to communicate values and beauty. He did not fall into the trap. He saw that many young people, despite seeming different, actually end up being just like everyone else, chasing what the powerful impose on them through the mechanisms of consumption and distraction. In this way, they do not allow the gifts the Lord has given them to blossom, nor do they offer this world those deeply personal and unique abilities that God has sown in each one. Thus, Carlo used to say, “Everyone is born as an original, but many die as photocopies”. Do not let this happen to you». Let us not allow this to happen to us; let us not become photocopies. Let us invoke Carlo’s intercession so that we may make our lives a masterpiece.
For further reading:
• Blessed Carlo Acutis
• Via Caritatis
• The shortest ladder to heaven
• The beloved disciple
• Hidden in a small piece of bread
• Eucharistic miracles around the world
• The appeals of Our Lady
• Blessed Carlo Acutis. Jesus’ friend
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12
Blessed Maria Teresa Fasce
Blessed Maria Teresa Fasce (1881–1947), an Augustinian nun, lived out her vocation in the footsteps of Saint Rita at the monastery in Cascia and, always following God’s will, accomplished wonders. John Paul II said of her in his homily at her beatification Mass: “She lived in constant contemplation of the mystery of Christ. Today the Church presents her as a shining example of a living synthesis between contemplative life and humble solidarity with people, especially the poorest, most humble, abandoned, and suffering.” Cascia as it is today, with its sanctuary and charitable works, would not exist without Maria Teresa Fasce. She used to say: “The soul has only one duty before God: its sanctification. And this depends on the perfect fulfillment of His most holy Will.” Let us learn more about her earthly life by reading her biography, and confidently invoke her intercession.
For further reading:
• With her heart in heaven and her feet on earth
• Blessed Maria Teresa Fasce: Saint Rita’s secretary
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13
Beginning of the novena to Saint John Paul II
In these days when we turn to this holy Pope, let us not forget to invoke his intercession for his young people, whom we love so dearly. During World Youth Day 2000, he addressed these heartfelt, intense, moving words to them: «Today you have gathered here to affirm that in the new century you will not allow yourselves to become instruments of violence and destruction; you will defend peace, even paying personally if necessary. You will not resign yourselves to a world in which other human beings die of hunger, remain illiterate, or lack work. You will defend life at every moment of its earthly development, and you will strive with all your energy to make this earth increasingly habitable for everyone. Dear young people of the century that is beginning, by saying “yes” to Christ, you say “yes” to each of your noblest ideals. I pray that He may reign in your hearts and in humanity in the new century and millennium. Do not be afraid to entrust yourselves to Him. He will guide you and give you the strength to follow Him every day and in every situation. May Mary Most Holy, the Virgin who said “yes” to God throughout her life, the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the Saints who have marked the Church's journey through the centuries preserve you always in this holy purpose!».
For further reading:
• “On Your Word” missal, September-October 2021
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16
Saint Gerard Maiella
Saint Gerard Maiella lived in the 1700s and earned a reputation as a great miracle worker. The miracle of the waters remains famous. On that occasion, the Saint came to the aid of some sailors who, at the mercy of a storm, were about to be shipwrecked. Walking on the water, he hooked the boat with just two fingers and dragged it ashore. Equally famous is the miracle of the multiplication of provisions: during a famine, the poor asking for assistance increased every day, while Saint Gerard's soup kitchens were always inexplicably full immediately after being emptied.
Before presenting his spiritual testament, we would like to tell you one more anecdote in support of his reputation as a protector of mothers and children. During one of his frequent visits to people's homes, Saint Gerard pretended to forget a handkerchief. The owners' daughter brought it back to him, but he asked her to keep it, because one day she would need it. The girl, by then an adult, got married. When she became pregnant, she began experiencing serious problems with the pregnancy, and the situation deteriorated to the point that the doctors gave a fatal prognosis. The girl remembered Saint Gerard's handkerchief, had it placed on her belly, and not only did the pain cease immediately, but she also gave birth peacefully.
This saint, always close to God and to the people, shows us the path to holiness in a sort of spiritual testament, a message freely adapted from his spiritual writings. The text, prepared in the mid-1990s at the Shrine of Saint Gerard Majella in Materdomini (Avellino), presents in a concrete and engaging way some of the saint’s resolutions, advice, and devotions that are still useful for Christian life today.
«I, Gerard Majella of the Most Holy Redeemer, commit myself during life and after death to pray effectively to the Lord, so that we may all see one another in Paradise and enjoy God for all eternity. I advise you to choose the Holy Spirit as the only comforter and protector of your Christian life.
May the Immaculate Virgin Mary be your only joy and your advocate before God.
And now receive in your heart what I write to you:
• Do not be afraid to become holy. God offers you a favorable opportunity every day.
• To become holy, it is necessary to have God present in everything you say and do, and to remain always united with Him. Many people worry about doing many things.
• Follow my example: I have tried to do only God’s will. I have walked underwater and against the wind! Great indeed is God’s will!
• A hidden and priceless treasure; it is worth as much as God is worth.
• Love God greatly. Do everything for God. Love everything and everyone in God.
• Suffer out of love and for God. Let Jesus Christ be your only master: serve Him out of love and always obey Him.
• He will reward you abundantly. Faith is needed to love God. Whoever lacks faith lacks God.
For further reading:
• Saint Gerard Majella. The little friar who played with God
«Find God and you will find the meaning of your life.» Another profound insight from Carlo Acutis, a great truth that we have all experienced or can experience. Let us confidently resume our journey, often repeating to ourselves: «Not I, but God».
Have a good journey!
